JNK inhibitor molecules

ABSTRACT

Inhibitor molecules for c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) are described. Furthermore, methods for raising antibodies against such inhibitor molecules as well as antibodies raised by such methods and cells producing the antibodies are also described.

The present invention relates to the field of enzyme inhibition, in particular to (poly-)peptide inhibitors of c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK). The present invention furthermore relates to methods for raising antibodies against such (poly-)peptide inhibitors as well as to the respective antibodies and cells producing the same.

The c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK) is a member of the stress-activated group of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. These kinases have been implicated in the control of cell growth and differentiation, and, more generally, in the response of cells to environmental stimuli. The JNK signal transduction pathway is activated in response to environmental stress and by the engagement of several classes of cell surface receptors. These receptors can include cytokine receptors, serpentine receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases. In mammalian cells, JNK has been implicated in biological processes such as oncogenic transformation and mediating adaptive responses to environmental stress. JNK has also been associated with modulating immune responses, including maturation and differentiation of immune cells, as well as effecting programmed cell death in cells identified for destruction by the immune system. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38alpha was shown to negatively regulate the cell proliferation by antagonizing the JNK-c-Jun-pathway. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38alpha therefore appears to be active in suppression of normal and cancer cell proliferation (see e.g. Hui et al., Nature Genetics, Vol 39, No. 6, June 2007). It was also shown, that c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) is involved in neuropathic pain produced by spinal nerve ligation (SNL), wherein SNL induced a slow and persistent activation of JNK, in particular JNK1, whereas p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation was found in spinal microglia after SNL, which had fallen to near basal level by 21 days (Zhuang et al., The Journal of Neuroscience, Mar. 29, 2006, 26(13):3551-3560)).

Inhibitors of the JNK signaling pathway as already known in the prior art, particularly include e.g. upstream kinase inhibitors (for example, CEP-1347), small chemical inhibitors of JNK (SP600125 and AS601245), which directly affect kinase activity e.g. by competing with the ATP-binding site of the protein kinase, and peptide inhibitors of the interaction between JNK and its substrates (see e.g. Kuan et al., Current Drug Targets—CNS & Neurological Disorders, February 2005, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 63-67; WO 2007/031280; all incorporated herewith by reference). WO 2007/031280 discloses small cell permeable fusion peptides, comprising a so-called TAT transporter sequence derived from the basic trafficking sequence of the HIV-TAT protein and an amino acid inhibitory sequence of IB1.

WO 2007/031280 discloses in particular two specific sequences, L-TAT-IB1 (GRKKRRQRRRPPRPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD, herein SEQ ID NO: 196) and D-TAT-IB1 (dqsrpvqpflnlttprkprpprrrqrrkkrg; herein SEQ ID NO: 197), the latter being the retro-inverso sequence of L-TAT-IB1. Due to the HIV TAT derived transporter sequence, these fusion peptides are more efficiently transported into the target cells, where they remain effective until proteolytic degradation.

Since ATP independent peptide inhibitors of JNK are usually more specific inhibitors, they are frequently the first choice if it comes to inhibiting JNK. However, even the peptide inhibitors disclosed in WO 2007/031280 are not optimal. For example, compound L-TAT-IB1 (herein SEQ ID NO: 196) which consists of L amino acids only, is quickly proteolytically degraded. In order to overcome this problem the inventors of WO 2007/031280 also suggested D-TAT-IB1 (herein SEQ ID NO: 197), which comprises D amino acids. To be more precise, D-TAT-IB1 exhibits the retro-inverso sequence of L-TAT-IB1. Incorporation of D-amino acids is made difficult by the fact that the change in stereochemistry may lead to a loss of function. The retro-inverso approach may be employed to reduce said risk because the use of i) only D-amino acids ii) but in the inverse peptide sequence may more likely yield an acceptable conformational analogue to the original peptide than incorporating one or more D-amino acids into the original sequence. In the case of WO 2007/031280 this approach resulted nevertheless in a significant decrease in inhibitory capacity in comparison to L-TAT-IB1 (see FIG. 4). Additionally, the retro-inverso peptide is extremely stable towards proteolytic digestion with the consequence that controlled digestions, for example in time sensitive experiments, are hardly possible.

Therefore, there is still a need in the art for peptide inhibitors of JNK which are more stable than for example L-TAT-IB1 (herein SEQ ID NO: 196). On the other hand there is a need for peptide inhibitors of JNK which are more active while less stable than for example D-TAT-IB1 (herein SEQ ID NO: 197).

Thus, the problem to be solved by the present invention was to provide further (peptide) inhibitors of JNK which are preferably less sensitive to proteolytic degradation than L-TAT-IB1 as disclosed in WO 2007/031280, but are preferably at the same time more sensitive to proteolytic degradation and/or more active than D-TAT-IB1 as disclosed in WO 2007/031280.

The object of the present invention is solved by the inventor by means of the subject-matter set out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following a brief description of the appended figures will be given. The figures are intended to illustrate the present invention in more detail. However, they are not intended to limit the subject matter of the invention in any way.

FIG. 1A-1C: Illustrations of the inhibitory efficacy of several JNK inhibitors according to the present invention, which was investigated by in vitro AlphaScreen assay (Amplified Luminescence Proximity Homogeneous-Screen Assay).

-   -   FIG. 1A: Inhibition of JNK1 by SEQ ID NOs: 193, 2, 3, 5, 6, and         7.     -   FIG. 1B: Inhibition of JNK2 by SEQ ID NOs: 193, 2, 3, 5, 6, and         7.     -   FIG. 1C: Inhibition of JNK3 by SEQ ID NOs: 193, 2, 3, 5, 6, and         7.

FIG. 2: Table illustrating the inhibitory efficacy of several JNK inhibitors (SEQ ID NOs: 193, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7) according to the present invention. Given are the IC50 values in the nM range, the respective standard error of the mean and the number of experiments performed (n).

FIG. 3A-3F: Illustrations of the inhibitory efficacy of several JNK inhibitors according to the present invention, which are fusion proteins of a JNK inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence and a transporter sequence. The inhibitory efficacy was determined by means of in vitro AlphaScreen assay (Amplified Luminescence Proximity Homogeneous-Screen Assay).

-   -   FIG. 3A: Inhibition of JNK1 by SEQ ID NOs: 194, 195, 172, 200,         46, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181 and 197.     -   FIG. 3B: Inhibition of JNK2 by SEQ ID NOs: 194, 195, 172, 200,         46, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181 and 197.     -   FIG. 3C: Inhibition of JNK3 by SEQ ID NOs: 194, 195, 172, 200,         46, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181 and 197.     -   FIG. 3D: Inhibition of JNK1 by SEQ ID NOs: 194, 195, 172, 200,         46, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190 and 197.     -   FIG. 3E: Inhibition of JNK2 by SEQ ID NOs: 194, 195, 172, 200,         46, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190 and 197.     -   FIG. 3F: Inhibition of JNK3 by SEQ ID NOs: 194, 195, 172, 200,         46, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190 and 197.

FIG. 4: Table illustrating the inhibitory efficacy of several JNK inhibitors according to the present invention, which are fusion proteins of a JNK inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence and a transporter sequence. Given are the IC50 values in the nM range, the respective standard error of the mean (SEM) and the number of experiments performed (n).

FIG. 5: Stability of JNK inhibitors with SEQ ID NOs: 172, 196 and 197 in 50% human serum. The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 196 was totally degraded into amino acids residues within 6 hours (A). The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 was completely degraded only after 14 days (B). The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 197 was stable at least up to 30 days (B).

FIGS. 6A and 6B: show internalizations experiments using TAT derived transporter constructs with D-amino acid/L-amino acid pattern as denoted in SEQ ID NO: 30. The transporter sequences analyzed correspond to SEQ ID NOs: 52-94 plus SEQ ID NOs: 45, 47, 46, 43 and 99 (FIG. 6A) and SEQ ID NOs: 100-147 (FIG. 6B). As can be seen, all transporters with the consensus sequence rXXXrXXXr (SEQ ID NO: 31) showed a higher internalization capability than the L-TAT transporter (SEQ ID NO: 43). Hela cells were incubated 24 hours in 96 well plate with 10 mM of the respective transporters. The cells were then washed twice with an acidic buffer (0.2M Glycin, 0.15M NaCl, pH 3.0) and twice with PBS. Cells were broken by the addition of RIPA lysis buffer. The relative amount of internalized peptide was then determined by reading the fluorescence intensity (Fusion Alpha plate reader; PerkinElmer) of each extract followed by background subtraction.

FIG. 7 The JNK inhibitor with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 172 blocks LPS-induced cytokine and chemokine release in THP1-PMA-differentiated macrophages. FIG. 7A: TNF release (THP1pma 6 h 3 ng/ml LPS); FIG. 7B: TNFa release (THP1pma 6 h 10 ng/ml LPS); FIG. 7C: IL 6 release (THP1pma 6 h 10 ng/ml LPS); FIG. 7D: MCP1 release (THP1pma 6 h 3 ng/ml LPS).

FIG. 8 The JNK inhibitor of SEQ ID NO: 172 blocks LPS-induced IL6 release in THP1 differentiated macrophages with higher potency than D-TAT-IB1 (SEQ ID NO: 197), dTAT (SEQ ID NO: 45) and SP 600125. LPS was added for 6 h (10 ng/ml).

FIG. 9 The JNK inhibitor of SEQ ID NO: 172 blocks LPS-induced TNFα release in THP1 differentiated macrophages with higher potency than D-TAT-IB1 (SEQ ID NO: 197), dTAT (SEQ ID NO: 45) and SP 600125. LPS was added for 6 h (10 ng/ml).

FIG. 10 The JNK inhibitor of SEQ ID NO: 172 blocks LPS-induced IL-6 release in PMA differentiated macrophages with higher potency than D-TAT-IB1 (SEQ ID NO: 197) and L-TAT-IB1 (SEQ ID NO: 196). LPS was added for 6 h.

FIG. 11 The JNK inhibitor of SEQ ID NO: 172 blocks LPS-induced INFα release in PMA differentiated macrophages with higher potency than D-TAT-IB1 (SEQ ID NO: 197) and L-TAT-IB1 (SEQ ID NO: 196).

FIG. 12 The JNK inhibitor of SEQ ID NO: 172 blocks LPS-induced INFα release in Primary Rat Whole Blood Cells at 3 ng/ml. Given are the results for the control, 1 μM of SEQ ID NO: 172, 3 μM of SEQ ID NO: 172, and 10 μM of SEQ ID NO: 172 at different levels of LPS (ng/ml).

FIG. 13 The JNK inhibitor of SEQ ID NO: 172 blocks IL2 secretion by primary human T-cells in response to PMA/lonomycin.

FIG. 14 The JNK inhibitor of SEQ ID NO: 172 blocks IL2 secretion by primary human T-cells in response to CD3/CD28 stimulation. The JNK inhibitors used are Indicated by their SEQ ID NO: 172 and 197.

FIG. 15 Dose-dependent inhibition by JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 of CD3/CD28-induced IL-2 release in primary rat lymph-nodes purified T cells. Control rat were sacrificed and lymph-nodes were harvested. T cells further were purified (using magnetic negative selection) and plated into 96-well plates at 200.000 cells/well. Cells were treated with anti-rat CD3 and anti-rat CD28 antibodies (2 μg/mL). JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 was added to the cultures 1 h before CD3/CD28 treatment and IL-2 release was assessed in supernatant 24 h after treatment.

FIG. 16 Dose-dependent inhibition of CD3/CD28-induced IL-2 release in primary rat lymph-nodes purified T cells: Comparison of several JNK inhibitors, namely SEQ ID NOs: 172, 197 and SP600125.

FIG. 17 Dose dependent inhibition of IL-2 release in rat whole blood stimulated with PMA+ionomycin. JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 was added at three different concentrations, namely 1, 3 and 10 μM 1 h before stimulation with PMA+ionomycin. Three doses of activators were added (25/500 ng/mL, 50/750 ng/mL and 50/1000 ng/mL) for 4 h. IL-2 release was assessed in supernatant. JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 at 10 μM did efficiently reduce PMA-iono-induced IL-2 release at the three tested activator concentrations.

FIG. 18 JNK inhibition and IL-6 release in human whole blood. The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 was added at three different concentrations, namely 1, 3 and 10 μM 1 h before whole blood stimulation with LPS (0.02 ng/mL) for 4 hours. The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 did reduce the LPS-induced IL-6 release in a dose-dependent manner.

FIG. 19 JNK inhibition and IL-2 release in human whole blood. The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 was added at three different concentrations, namely 1, 3 and 10 μM 1 h before whole blood stimulation with PMA+ionomycin (25/700 ng/mL, 50/800 ng/ml and 50/1000 ng/mL) for 4 hours. The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 did reduce the PMA+ionomycin-induced IL-2 release in a dose-dependent manner.

FIG. 20 JNK inhibition and IFN-γ release in human whole blood. The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 was added at three different concentrations, namely 1, 3 and 10 μM 1 h before whole blood stimulation with PMA+ionomycin (25/700 ng/mL, 50/800 ng/ml and 50/1000 ng/mL) for 4 hours. The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 did reduce the PMA+ionomycin-induced IFN-γ release in a dose-dependent manner.

FIG. 21 JNK inhibition and TNF-α, release in human whole blood. The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 was added at three different concentrations, namely 1, 3 and 10 μM 1 h before whole blood stimulation with PMA+ionomycin (25/700 ng/mL, 50/800 ng/ml and 50/1000 ng/mL) for 4 hours. The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 did reduce the PMA+ionomycin−induced TNF-α, release in a dose-dependent manner.

FIG. 22 JNK inhibition and TNF-α, release in human whole blood. The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 was added at three different concentrations, namely 1, 3 and 10 μM 1 h before whole blood stimulation with PHA-L (5 μg/mL) for 3 days. The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 did reduce the PHA-L-induced TNF-α, release in a dose-dependent manner.

FIG. 23 JNK inhibition and IL-2 release in human whole blood. The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 was added at three different concentrations, namely 1, 3 and 10 μM 1 h before whole blood stimulation with PHA-L (5 μg/mL) for 3 days. The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 did reduce the PHA-L-induced IL-2 release in a dose-dependent manner.

FIG. 24 JNK inhibition and TNF-α, release in human whole blood. The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 was added at three different concentrations, namely 1, 3 and 10 μM 1 h before whole blood stimulation with CD3+/−CD28 antibodies (2 μg/mL) for 3 days. The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 did reduce the CD3/CD28-induced TNF-α, release in a dose-dependent manner.

JNK INHIBITORS

In a first aspect the present invention relates to a JNK inhibitor, which comprises an inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence according to the following general formula:

X1-X2-X3-R-X4-X5-X6-L-X7-L-X8, (SEQ ID NO: 1)

-   -   wherein X1 is an amino acid selected from amino acids R, P, Q         and r,     -   wherein X2 is an amino acid selected from amino acids R, P, G         and r,     -   wherein X3 is an amino acid selected from amino acids K, R, k         and r,     -   wherein X4 is an amino acid selected from amino acids P and K,     -   wherein X5 is an amino acid selected from amino acids T, a, s,         q, k or is absent,     -   wherein X6 is an amino acid selected from amino acids T, D and         A,     -   wherein X7 is an amino acid selected from amino acids N, n, r         and K; and     -   wherein X8 is an amino acid selected from F, f and w,     -   with the proviso that at least one, at least two, at least         three, at least four, at least five or six of the amino acids         selected from the group consisting of X1, X2, X3, X5, X7 and X8         is/are a D-amino acid(s), preferably with the proviso that at         least one, at least two, at least three or four of the amino         acids selected from the group consisting of X3, X5, X7 and X8         is/are a D-amino acid(s).

The inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence of the JNK inhibitor according to the present invention comprises L-amino acids and in most embodiments D-amino acids. Unless specified otherwise, L-amino acid residues are indicated herein in capital letters, while D amino acid residues are indicated in small letters. Glycine may be indicated in capital or small letters (since there is no D- or L-glycine). The amino acid sequences disclosed herein are always given from N- to C-terminus (left to right) unless specified otherwise. The given amino acid sequence may be modified or unmodified at the C- and/or N-terminus, e.g. acetylation at the C-terminus and/or amidation or modification with cysteamide at the N-terminus. For sake of clarity such possible but entirely optional modifications at the C- and/or N-terminus of the amino acid sequences disclosed herein are for sake of clarity not specifically indicated.

The JNK inhibitors of the present invention are (poly-)peptide inhibitors of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Said inhibitors inhibit the kinase activity of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), i.e. prevent or reduce the extent of phosphorylation of JNK substrates such as c-Jun, ATF2 and/or Elk-1. A person skilled in the art will understand that the term “inhibitor”, as used herein, does not comprise compounds which irreversibly destroy the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) molecule and/or kinase activity. Furthermore, the term “inhibiting JNK activity” as used herein, refers to the inhibition of the kinase activity of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK).

Furthermore, as used herein, a JNK inhibitor comprises at least one functional unit of a polymer of amino acids, i.e. a (poly-)peptide sequence. Moreover, this at least one functional polymer of amino acids provides for inhibition of JNK activity. The amino acid monomers of said inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence are usually linked to each other via peptide bonds, but (chemical) modifications of said peptide bond(s) or of side chain residues may be tolerable, provided the inhibitory activity (inhibition of JNK activity) is not totally lost, i.e. the resulting chemical entity still qualifies as JNK inhibitor as functionally defined herein. The term “(poly-)peptide” shall not be construed as limiting the length of the (poly-)peptide unit. Preferably, the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence of the JNK inhibitors of the present invention is less than 500, 490, 480, 470, 460, 450, 440, 430, 420, 410, 400, 390, 380, 370, 360, 350, 340, 330, 320, 310, 300, 290, 280, 270, 260, 250, 240, 230, 220, 210, 200, 190, 180, 170, 160, 150, 140, 130, 120, 110, 100, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, or less than 12 amino acids long. Preferably, the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence does not have less than 10 amino acid residues, more preferably not less than 11 amino acid residues.

Furthermore, a “JNK inhibitor” of the present invention inhibits JNK activity, e.g. exhibits with regard to the inhibition of human JNK mediated phosphorylation of a c-Jun substrate (SEQ ID NO: 198) an IC 50 value of:

-   -   a) less than 3000 nM, more preferably less than 2000 nM, even         more preferably less than 1000 nM, even more preferably less         than 500 nM, even more preferably less than 250 nM, even more         preferably less than 200 nM, even more preferably less than 150         nM, most preferably less than 100 nM with regard to inhibition         of human JNK1,     -   b) less than 3000 nM, more preferably less than 2000 nM, even         more preferably less than 1000 nM, even more preferably less         than 500 nM, even more preferably less than 250 nM, even more         preferably less than 200 nM, even more preferably less than 150         nM, most preferably less than 100 nM with regard to inhibition         of human JNK2, and/or     -   c) less than 3000 nM, more preferably less than 2000 nM, even         more preferably less than 1000 nM, even more preferably less         than 500 nM, even more preferably less than 250 nM, even more         preferably less than 200 nM, even more preferably less than 150         nM, most preferably less than 100 nM with regard to inhibition         of human JNK3.

For some applications it is preferred that the inhibitor inhibits human JNK2 and/or human JNK3 according to the above definition, but not JNK1 according to the above definition.

Whether JNK activity is inhibited or not, may easily be assessed by a person skilled in the art. There are several methods know in the art. One example is a radioactive kinase assay or a non-radioactive kinase assay (e.g. Alpha screen test; see for example Guenat et al. J Biomol Screen, 2006; 11: pages 1015-1026).

A JNK inhibitor according to the present invention may thus for example comprise an inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 27 (see table 1).

TABLE 1 Examples for inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequences of JNK-inhibitors according to the present invention Amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: rPKRPTTLNLF 2 RPkRPTTLNLF 3 RPKRPaTLNLF 4 RPKRPTTLnLF 5 RPKRPTTLrLF 6 RPKRPTTLNLf 7 RPkRPaTLNLf 8 RPkRPTTLNLf 9 RPkRPTTLrLf 10 RRrRPTTLNLf 11 QRrRPTTLNLf 12 RPkRPTTLNLw 13 RPkRPTDLNLf 14 RRrRPTTLrLw 15 QRrRPTTLrLw 16 RRrRPTDLrLw 17 QRrRPTDLrLw 18 RRrRPaTLNLf 19 QRrRPaTLNLf 20 RrKRPaTLNLf 21 RPkRPsTLNLf 22 RPkRPqTLNLf 23 RPkRPkTLNLf 24 rGKRKALKLf 25 rGKRKALrLf 26 RRrRKALrLf 27

The JNK inhibitor according to the present invention may also be a JNK inhibitor (variant) which comprises an inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence sharing at least 50%, more preferably at least 55%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, most preferably at least 90% sequence identity with a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-27, in particular with SEQ ID NO: 8, with the proviso that with regard to the respective sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-27, such inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence sharing sequence identity

-   -   a) maintains the L-arginine (R) residue on position 4,     -   b) maintains the two L-leucine (L) residues at position 8 and 10         (positions 7 and 9 with regard to SEQ ID NOs: 25-27),     -   c) exhibits one, two, three, four, five or six D-amino acid(s)         at the respective positions corresponding to the amino acids         selected from the group consisting of X1, X2, X3, X5, X7 and X8         of SEQ ID NO: 1 and respective positions in SEQ ID NOs: 2-27,         more preferably exhibits one, two, three or four D-amino acid(s)         at the positions corresponding to the amino acids selected from         the group consisting of X3, X5, X7 and X8 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and         respective positions in SEQ ID NOs: 2-27, and     -   d) still inhibits JNK activity (i.e. is a JNK inhibitor as         defined herein).

Certainly, variants disclosed herein (in particular JNK inhibitor variants comprising an inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence sharing—within the above definition—a certain degree of sequence identity with a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-27), share preferably less than 100% sequence identity with the respective reference sequence.

In view of said definition and for sake of clarity the residues which may not be changed in variants of JNK inhibitors comprising SEQ ID NOs: 1-27 (see a) and b) in the above definition) are underlined in table 1.

The non-identical amino acids are preferably the result of conservative amino acid substitutions.

Conservative amino acid substitutions, as used herein, may include amino acid residues within a group which have sufficiently similar physicochemical properties, so that a substitution between members of the group will preserve the biological activity of the molecule (see e.g. Grantham, R. (1974), Science 185, 862-864). Particularly, conservative amino acid substitutions are preferably substitutions in which the amino acids originate from the same class of amino acids (e.g. basic amino acids, acidic amino acids, polar amino acids, amino acids with aliphatic side chains, amino acids with positively or negatively charged side chains, amino acids with aromatic groups in the side chains, amino acids the side chains of which can enter into hydrogen bridges, e.g. side chains which have a hydroxyl function, etc.). Conservative substitutions are in the present case for example substituting a basic amino acid residue (Lys, Arg, His) for another basic amino acid residue (Lys, Arg, His), substituting an aliphatic amino acid residue (Gly, Ala, Val, Leu, Ile) for another aliphatic amino acid residue, substituting an aromatic amino acid residue (Phe, Tyr, Trp) for another aromatic amino acid residue, substituting threonine by serine or leucine by isoleucine. Further conservative amino acid exchanges will be known to the person skilled in the art. The isomer form should preferably be maintained, e.g. K is preferably substituted for R or H, while k is preferably substituted for r and h.

Further possible substitutions within the above definition for JNK inhibitor variants are for example if:

-   -   a) one, two or more of X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and/or X8 of         SEQ ID NO: 1 or the corresponding positions within the         respective sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 2-27 are         substituted for A or a,     -   b) X1 or X8 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or the corresponding position within         the respective sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 2-27 is         deleted;     -   c) X5 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or the corresponding position within the         respective sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 2-27 is E, Y, L,         V, F or K;     -   d) X5 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or the corresponding position within the         respective sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 2-27 is E, L, V, F         or K; or     -   e) one, two or three of X1, X2, X3 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or the         corresponding positions within the respective sequence selected         from SEQ ID NOs: 2-27 are neutral amino acids.

As used herein, the term “% sequence identity”, has to be understood as follows: Two sequences to be compared are aligned to give a maximum correlation between the sequences. This may include inserting “gaps” in either one or both sequences, to enhance the degree of alignment. A % identity may then be determined over the whole length of each of the sequences being compared (so-called global alignment), that is particularly suitable for sequences of the same or similar length, or over shorter, defined lengths (so-called local alignment), that is more suitable for sequences of unequal length. In the above context, an amino acid sequence having a “sequence identity” of at least, for example, 95% to a query amino acid sequence, is intended to mean that the sequence of the subject amino acid sequence is identical to the query sequence except that the subject amino acid sequence may include up to five amino acid alterations per each 100 amino acids of the query amino acid sequence. In other words, to obtain an amino acid sequence having a sequence of at least 95% identity to a query amino acid sequence, up to 5% (5 of 100) of the amino acid residues in the subject sequence may be inserted or substituted with another amino acid or deleted. For purposes of determining sequence identity, the substitution of an L-amino acid for a D-amino acid (and vice versa) is considered to yield a non-identical residue, even if it is merely the D- (or L-isomer) of the very same amino acid.

Methods for comparing the identity and homology of two or more sequences are well known in the art. The percentage to which two sequences are identical can for example be determined by using a mathematical algorithm. A preferred, but not limiting, example of a mathematical algorithm which can be used is the algorithm of Karlin et al. (1993), PNAS USA, 90:5873-5877. Such an algorithm is integrated in the BLAST family of programs, e.g. BLAST or NBLAST program (see also Altschul et al., 1990, J. Mol. Biol. 215, 403-410 or Altschul et al. (1997), Nucleic Acids Res, 25:3389-3402), accessible through the home page of the NCBI at world wide web site ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) and FASTA (Pearson (1990), Methods Enzymol. 183, 63-98; Pearson and Lipman (1988), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 85, 2444-2448.). Sequences which are identical to other sequences to a certain extent can be identified by these programmes. Furthermore, programs available in the Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package, version 9.1 (Devereux et al., 1984, Nucleic Acids Res., 387-395), for example the programs BESTFIT and GAP, may be used to determine the % identity between two polypeptide sequences. BESTFIT uses the “local homology” algorithm of (Smith and Waterman (1981), J. Mol. Biol. 147, 195-197.) and finds the best single region of similarity between two sequences.

Certainly, the JNK inhibitor according to present invention may comprise—aside of the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence mentioned above—additional sequences, domains, labels (e.g. fluorescent or radioactive labels), epitopes etc. as long as the ability to inhibit JNK activity as defined herein is not lost. For example, the JNK inhibitor according to the present invention may also comprise a transporter sequence. A “transporter sequence” as used herein, is a (poly-) peptide sequence providing for translocation of the molecule it is attached to across biological membranes. Accordingly, a JNK inhibitor according to the present invention comprising a transporter sequence is preferably capable of translocating across biological membranes. Thus, such JNK inhibitor of the present invention may more readily enter a cell, a cellular subcompartiment and/or into the nucleus of a cell.

Said transporter sequence may be joined for example (e.g. directly) N-terminally or (e.g. directly) C-terminally to the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence of the JNK inhibitor. The transporter sequence and the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence may also be spaced apart, e.g. may be separated by intermediate sequences. It is also contemplated that the transporter sequence may be positioned entirely elsewhere in the JNK inhibitor molecule than the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence, in particular if the JNK inhibitor is a more complex molecule (e.g. comprising several domains, is a multimeric conjugate etc.). It is also contemplated that the transporter sequence and the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence may overlap as long as the JNK inhibitory activity is maintained. Examples for such overlap are given further below.

Transporter sequences for use with the JNK inhibitor of the present invention may be selected from, without being limited thereto, transporter sequences derived from HIV TAT (HIV), e.g. native proteins such as e.g. the TAT protein (e.g. as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,804,604 and 5,674,980, each of these references being incorporated herein by reference), HSV VP22 (Herpes simplex) (described in e.g. WO 97/05265; Elliott and O'Hare, Cell 88: 223-233 (1997)), non-viral proteins (Jackson et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 10691-10695 (1992)), transporter sequences derived from Antennapedia, particularly from Drosophila antennapedia (e.g. the antennapedia carrier sequence thereof), FGF, lactoferrin, etc. or derived from basic peptides, e.g. peptides having a length of 5 to 15 amino acids, preferably 10 to 12 amino acids and comprising at least 80%, more preferably 85% or even 90% basic amino acids, such as e.g. arginine, lysine and/or histidine, or may be selected from e.g. arginine rich peptide sequences, such as RRRRRRRRR (R₉; SEQ ID NO: 152), RRRRRRRR (R₈; SEQ ID NO: 153), RRRRRRR (R₇; SEQ ID NO: 154), RRRRRR (R₆, SEQ ID NO: 155), RRRRR (R₆, SEQ ID NO: 156) etc., from VP22, from PTD-4 proteins or peptides, from RGD-K₁₆, from PEPT1/2 or PEPT1/2 proteins or peptides, from SynB3 or SynB3 proteins or peptides, from PC inhibitors, from P21 derived proteins or peptides, or from JNKI proteins or peptides.

Examples of transporter sequences for use in the JNK inhibitor of the present invention are in particular, without being limited thereto, basic transporter sequences derived from the HIV-1 TAT protein. Preferably, the basic transporter sequence of the HIV-1 TAT protein may include sequences from the human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1 TAT protein, e.g. as described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,804,604 and 5,674,980, each incorporated herein by reference. In this context, the full-length HIV-1 TAT protein has 86 amino acid residues encoded by two exons of the HIV TAT gene. TAT amino acids 1-72 are encoded by exon 1, whereas amino acids 73-86 are encoded by exon 2. The full-length TAT protein is characterized by a basic region which contains two lysines and six arginines (amino acids 49-57) and a cysteine-rich region which contains seven cysteine residues (amino acids 22-37). The basic region (i.e., amino acids 49-57) was thought to be important for nuclear localization. Ruben, S. et al., J. Virol. 63: 1-8 (1989); Hauber, J. et al., J. Virol. 63 1181-1187 (1989). The cysteine-rich region mediates the formation of metal-linked dimers in vitro (Frankel, A. D. et al, Science 240: 70-73 (1988); Frankel, A. D. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 85: 6297-6300 (1988)) and is essential for its activity as a transactivator (Garcia, J. A. et al., EMBO J. 7: 3143 (1988); Sadaie, M. R. et al., J. Virol. 63:1 (1989)). As in other regulatory proteins, the N-terminal region may be involved in protection against intracellular proteases (Bachmair, A. et al., Cell 56: 1019-1032 (1989)). Preferred TAT transporter sequences for use in the JNK inhibitor of the present invention are preferably characterized by the presence of the TAT basic region amino acid sequence (amino acids 49-57 of naturally-occurring TAT protein); the absence of the TAT cysteine-rich region amino acid sequence (amino acids 22-36 of naturally-occurring TAT protein) and the absence of the TAT exon 2-encoded carboxy-terminal domain (amino acids 73-86 of naturally-occurring TAT protein). More preferably, the transporter sequence in the JNK inhibitor of the present invention may be selected from an amino acid sequence containing TAT residues 48-57 or 49 to 57 or variants thereof.

Preferably, the transporter sequence in a given JNK inhibitor of the present invention also exhibits D-amino acids, for example in order to improve stability towards proteases. Particularly preferred are transporter sequences which exhibit a specific order of alternating D- and L-amino acids. Such order of alternating D- and L-amino acids (the motif) may follow—without being limited thereto—the pattern of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 28-30:

d_(l)LLL_(x)d_(m)LLL_(y)d_(n); (SEQ ID NO: 28) dLLLd(LLLd)_(a); (SEQ ID NO: 29) and/or dLLLdLLLd; (SEQ ID NO: 30) wherein:

-   -   d is a D-amino acid;     -   L is a L-amino acid;     -   a is 0-3, preferably 0-2, more preferably 0, 1, 2 or 3, even         more preferably 0, 1, or 2 and most preferably 1;     -   l, m and n are independently from each other 1 or 2, preferably         1;     -   x and y are independently from each other 0, 1 or 2, preferably         1.

Said order of D- and L-amino acids (motif) becomes relevant when the transporter sequence is synthesized, i.e. while the amino acid sequence (i.e. the type of side chain residues) remains unaltered, the respective isomers alternate. For example, a known transporter sequence derived from HIV TAT is RKKRRQRRR (SEQ ID NO: 43). Applying the D-/L amino acid order of SEQ ID NO: 30 thereto would yield rKKRrQRRr (SEQ ID NO: 46).

In a particular embodiment the transporter sequence of the JNK inhibitor of the present invention may comprise at least one sequence according to rXXXrXXXr (SEQ ID NO: 31), wherein:

-   -   r represents an D-enantiomeric arginine;     -   X is any L-amino acid (including glycine);         and wherein each X may be selected individually and         independently of any other X within SEQ ID NO: 31. Preferably at         least 4 out of said 6×L-amino acids within SEQ ID NO: 31 are K         or R. In another embodiment the JNK inhibitor according to the         present invention comprises the transporter sequence         rX₁X₂X₃rX₄X₅X₆r (SEQ ID NO: 32), wherein X₁ is K, X₂ is K, X₃ is         R and X₄, X₅, and X₆ are any L-amino acid (including glycine)         selected independently from each other. Similarly, the         transporter sequence of the JNK inhibitor according to the         present invention may comprise the sequence rX₁X₂X₃rX₄X₅X₆r (SEQ         ID NO: 33), wherein X₄ is Q, X₅ is R, X₆ is R and X₁, X₂, and X₃         are any L-amino acid (including glycine) selected independently         from each other. The inventive JNK inhibitor may also comprise         the sequence rX₁X₂X₃rX₄X₅X₆r (SEQ ID NO: 34), wherein one, two,         three, four, five or six X amino acid residues are chosen from         the group consisting of: X₁ is K, X₂ is K, X₃ is R, X₄ is Q, X₅         is R, X₆ is R, while the remaining X amino acid residues not         selected from above group may be any L-amino acid (including         glycine) and are selected independently from each other. X₁ is         then preferably Y and/or X₄ is preferably K or R.

Examples of transporter sequences for use in the inventive JNK inhibitor molecule may be selected, without being limited thereto, from sequences as given in table 2 below, (SEQ ID NOs: 31-170) or from any fragment or variant or chemically modified derivative thereof (preferably it retains the function of translocating across a biological membrane).

TABLE 2 Examples for transporter (poly-)peptide sequences for use in the JNK-inhibitors according to the present invention SEQUENCE/PEPTIDE SEQ ID NAME NO AA SEQUENCE r3 (generic) 31 9 rXXXrXXXr r3 (generic; right half) 32 9 rKKRrX₄X₅X₆r r3 (generic; left half) 33 9 rX₁X₂X₃rQRRr r3 (generic; 34 9 rX₁X₂X₃rX₄X₅X₆r individual) TAT (1-86) 35 86 MEPVDPRLEP WKHPGSQPKT ACTNCYCKKC CFHCQVCFIT KALGISYGRK KRRQRRRPPQ GSQTHQVSLS KQPTSQSRGD PTGPKE TAT (37-72) 36 36 CFITKALGIS YGRKKRRQRR RPPQGSQTHQ VSLSKQ TAT (37-58) 37 22 CFITKALGIS YGRKKRRQRR RP TAT (38-58)GGC 38 24 FITKALGISY GRKKRRQRRR PGGC TAT CGG(47-58) 39 15 CGGYGRKKRR QRRRP TAT (47-58)GGC 40 15 YGRKKRRQRR RPGGC TAT (1-72) Mut 41 56 MEPVDPRLEP WKHPGSQPKT AFITKALGIS YGRKKRRQRR Cys/Ala 72 RPPQGSQTHQ VSLSKQ L-TAT (s1a) 42 10 GRKKRRQRRR (NH₂-GRKKRRQRRR-COOH) L-TAT (s1b) 43 9 RKKRRQRRR (NH₂-GRKKRRQRRR-COOH) L-TAT (s1c) 44 11 YDRKKRRQRRR D-TAT 45 9 rrrqrrkkr r₃-L-TAT 46 9 rKKRrQRRr r₃-L-TATi 47 9 rRRQrRKKr A-r₃-L-TAT 48 9 A-rKKRrQRRr (A: beta alanine) A-r₃-L-TATi 49 9 A-rRRQrRKKr (A: beta alanine) FITC-A-r₃-L-TAT 50 9 FITC-A-rKKRrQRRr (A: beta alanine) FITC-A-r₃-L-TATi 51 9 FITC-A-rRRQrRKKr (A: beta alanine) TAT(s2-1) 52 9 rAKRrQRRr TAT(s2-2) 53 9 rKARrQRRr TAT(s2-3) 54 9 rKKArQRRr TAT(s2-4) 55 9 rKKRrARRr TAT(s2-5) 56 9 rKKRrQARr TAT(s2-6) 57 9 rKKRrQRAr TAT(s2-7) 58 9 rDKRrQRRr TAT(s2-8) 59 9 rKDRrQRRr TAT(s2-9) 60 9 rKKDrQRRr TAT(s2-10) 61 9 rKKRrDRRr TAT(s2-11) 62 9 rKKRrQDRr TAT(s2-12) 63 9 rKKRrQRDr TAT(s2-13) 64 9 rEKRrQRRr TAT(s2-14) 65 9 rKERrQRRr TAT(s2-15) 66 9 rKKErQRRr TAT(s2-16) 67 9 rKKRrERRr TAT(s2-17) 68 9 rKKRrQERr TAT(s2-18) 69 9 rKKRrQREr TAT(s2-19) 70 9 rFKRrQRRr TAT(s2-20) 71 9 rKFRrQRRr TAT(s2-21) 72 9 rKKFrQRRr TAT(s2-22) 73 9 rKKRrFRRr TAT(s2-23) 74 9 rKKRrQFRr TAT(s2-24) 75 9 rKKRrQRFr TAT(s2-25) 76 9 rRKRrQRRr TAT(s2-26) 77 9 rKRRrQRRr TAT(s2-27) 78 9 rKKKrQRRr TAT(s2-28) 79 9 rKKRrRRRr TAT(s2-29) 80 9 rKKRrQKRr TAT(s2-30) 81 9 rKKRrQRKr TAT(s2-31) 82 9 rHKRrQRRr TAT(s2-32) 83 9 rKHRrQRRr TAT(s2-33) 84 9 rKKHrQRRr TAT(s2-34) 85 9 rKKRrHRRr TAT(s2-35) 86 9 rKKRrQHRr TAT(s2-36) 87 9 rKKRrQRHr TAT(s2-37) 88 9 rIKRrQRRr TAT(s2-38) 89 9 rKIRrQRRr TAT(s2-39) 90 9 rKKIrQRRr TAT(s2-40) 91 9 rKKRrIRRr TAT(s2-41) 92 9 rKKRrQIRr TAT(s2-42) 93 9 rKKRrQRIr TAT(s2-43) 94 9 rLKRrQRRr TAT(s2-44) 95 9 rKLRrQRRr TAT(s2-45) 96 9 rKKLrQRRr TAT(s2-46) 97 9 rKKRrLRRr TAT(s2-47) 98 9 rKKRrQLRr TAT(s2-48) 99 9 rKKRrQRLr TAT(s2-49) 100 9 rMKRrQRRr TAT(s2-50) 101 9 rKMRrQRRr TAT(s2-51) 102 9 rKKMrQRRr TAT(s2-52) 103 9 rKKRrMRRr TAT(s2-53) 104 9 rKKRrQMRr TAT(s2-54) 105 9 rKKRrQRMr TAT(s2-55) 106 9 rNKRrQRRr TAT(s2-56) 107 9 rKNRrQRRr TAT(s2-57) 108 9 rKKNrQRRr TAT(s2-58) 109 9 rKKRrNRRr TAT(s2-59) 110 9 rKKRrQNRr TAT(s2-60) 111 9 rKKRrQRNr TAT(s2-61) 112 9 rQKRrQRRr TAT(s2-62) 113 9 rKQRrQRRr TAT(s2-63) 114 9 rKKQrQRRr TAT(s2-64) 115 9 rKKRrKRRr TAT(s2-65) 116 9 rKKRrQQRr TAT(s2-66) 117 9 rKKRrQRQr TAT(s2-67) 118 9 rSKRrQRRr TAT(s2-68) 119 9 rKSRrQRRr TAT(s2-69) 120 9 rKKSrQRRr TAT(s2-70) 121 9 rKKRrSRRr TAT(s2-71) 122 9 rKKRrQSRr TAT(s2-72) 123 9 rKKRrQRSr TAT(s2-73) 124 9 rTKRrQRRr TAT(s2-74) 125 9 rKTRrQRRr TAT(s2-75) 126 9 rKKTrQRRr TAT(s2-76) 127 9 rKKRrTRRr TAT(s2-77) 128 9 rKKRrQTRr TAT(s2-78) 129 9 rKKRrQRTr TAT(s2-79) 130 9 rVKRrQRRr TAT(s2-80) 131 9 rKVRrQRRr TAT(s2-81) 132 9 rKKVrQRRr TAT(s2-82) 133 9 rKKRrVRRr TAT(s2-83) 134 9 rKKRrQVRr TAT(s2-84) 135 9 rKKRrQRVr TAT(s2-85) 136 9 rWKRrQRRr TAT(s2-86) 137 9 rKWRrQRRr TAT(s2-87) 138 9 rKKWrQRRr TAT(s2-88) 139 9 rKKRrWRRr TAT(s2-89) 140 9 rKKRrQWRr TAT(s2-90) 141 9 rKKRrQRWr TAT(s2-91) 142 9 rYKRrQRRr TAT(s2-92) 143 9 rKYRrQRRr TAT(s2-93) 144 9 rKKYrQRRr TAT(s2-94) 145 9 rKKRrYRRr TAT(s2-95) 146 9 rKKRrQYRr TAT(s2-96) 147 9 rKKRrQRYr TAT(s2-97) 148 8 rKKRrQRr TAT(s2-98) 149 9 rKKRrQRrK TAT(s2-99) 150 9 rKKRrQRrR r₃R₆ 151 9 rRRRrRRRr L-R₉ 152 9 RRRRRRRRR L-R₃ 153 8 RRRRRRRR L-R₇ 154 7 RRRRRRR L-R₆ 155 6 RRRRRR L-R₅ 156 5 RRRRR r₉ 157 9 rrrrrrrrr r₅R₄ (D/L) 158 9 rRrRrRrRr r₅R₄ (DD/LL) 159 9 rrRRrrRRr PTD-4 160 11 YARAAARQARA PTD-4 (variant 1) 161 11 WARAAARQARA PTD-4 (variant 2) 162 11 WARAQRAAARA L-P1 Penetratin 163 16 RQVKVWFQNRRMKWKK D-P1 Penetratin 164 16 KKWKMRRNQFWVKVQR JNKI, bestfit 165 17 WKRAAARKARAMSLNLF JNKI, bestfit (variant 166 17 WKRAAARAARAMSLNLF 1) MDCK transcytose 167 9 RYRGDLGRR sequence YKGL 168 4 YKGL P1 169 4 RRTK P66 170 4 RRPK

As mentioned above, transporter sequences may also be selected from fragments or variants of the above sequences of table 2 (with the proviso that such fragment or variant retain preferably the function to provide for translocation across biological membranes). In this specific context, variants and/or fragments of those transporter sequences preferably comprise a peptide sequence sharing at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80% or at least 85%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95% and most preferably at least 99% sequence identity over the whole length of the sequence of such a transporter sequence as defined in Table 2. In this specific context, a “fragment” of a transporter sequence as defined in Table 2, is preferably to be understood as a truncated sequence thereof, i.e. an amino acid sequence, which is N-terminally, C-terminally and/or intrasequentially truncated compared to the amino acid sequence of the original sequence.

Furthermore, a “variant” of a transporter sequence or its fragment as defined above, is preferably to be understood as a sequence wherein the amino acid sequence of the variant differs from the original transporter sequence or a fragment thereof as defined herein in one or more mutation(s), such as one or more substituted, (or, if necessary, inserted and/or deleted) amino acid(s). Preferably, variants of such a transporter sequence as defined above have the same biological function or specific activity compared to the respective original sequence, i.e. provide for transport, e.g. into cells or the nucleus. In this context, a variant of such a transporter sequence as defined above may for example comprise about 1 to 50, 1 to 20, more preferably 1 to 10 and most preferably 1 to 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 amino acid alterations. Variants of such a transporter sequence as defined above may preferably comprise conservative amino acid substitutions. The concept of conservative amino acid substitutions is known in the art and has already been set out above for the JNK inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence and applies here accordingly.

The length of a transporter sequence incorporated in the JNK inhibitor of the present invention may vary. It is contemplated that in some embodiments the transporter sequence of the JNK inhibitor according to the present invention is less than 150, less than 140, less than 130, less than 120, less than 110, less than 100, less than 90, less than 80, less than 70, less than 60, less than 50, less than 40, less than 30, less than 20, and/or less than 10 amino acids in length.

Whether a specific transporter sequence is still functional in the context of the JNK inhibitor according to the present invention may easily be determined by a person skilled in the art. For instance, the JNK inhibitor comprising a transporter domain may be fused to a label, e.g. a fluorescent protein such as GFP, a radioactive label, an enzyme, a fluorophore, an epitope etc. which can be readily detected in a cell. Then, the JNK inhibitor comprising the transporter sequence and the label is transfected into a cell or added to a culture supernatant and permeation of cell membranes can be monitored by using biophysical and biochemical standard methods (for example flow cytometry, (immuno)fluorescence microscopy etc.).

Specific examples of JNK inhibitors according to the present invention comprising a transporter sequence are given in table 3:

TABLE 3 Examples for JNK inhibitors comprising an inhibitory (poly-) peptide sequence and a transporter sequence Amino acid sequence AA SEQ ID NO: rKKRrQRRrRPkRPTTLNLf 20 171 rKKRrQRRrRPkRPaTLNLf 20 172 rKKRrQRRrRPkRPTTLrLf 20 173 rKKRrQRRrRPTTLNLf 17 174 rKKRrQRrRPTTLNLf 16 175 rKKRrQRRrRPkRPTTLNLw 20 176 rKKRrQRRrRPkRPTDLNLf 20 177 rKKRrQRRrRPTTLrLw 17 178 rKKRrQRrRPTTLrLw 16 179 rKKRrQRRrRPTDLrLw 17 180 rKKRrQRrRPTDLrLw 16 181 rKKRrQRRrRPaTLNLf 17 182 rKKRrQRrRPaTLNLf 16 183 rKKRrQRrKRPaTLNLf 17 184 rKKRrQRRrRPkRPsTLNLf 20 185 rKKRrQRRrRPkRPqTLNLf 20 186 rKKRrQRRrRPkRPkTLNLf 20 187 rKKRrQRRrGKRKALKLf 18 188 rKKRrQRRrGKRKALrLf 18 189 rKKRrQRRrRKALrLf 16 190

As mentioned above, in a particular embodiment of the present invention the transporter sequence and the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence may overlap. In other words, the N-terminus of the transporter sequence may overlap with the C-terminus of the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence or the C-terminus of the transporter sequence may overlap with the N-terminus of the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence. The latter embodiment is particularly preferred. Preferably, the transporter sequence overlaps by one, two or three amino acid residues with the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence. In such scenario a given transporter sequence may overlap with SEQ ID NO:1 or the respective variants thereof at position 1 (X1), position 1 and 2 (X1, X2), positions 1, 2 and 3 (X1, X2, X3).

SEQ ID NOs: 174, 175, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 188, 189 and 190 are good examples for JNK inhibitors according to the present invention, wherein transporter sequence and the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence overlap, e.g. rKKRrQRRrRPTTLNLf (SEQ ID NO: 174) is an overlap of SEQ ID NO: 46 (underlined) and SEQ ID NO: 11 (italics).

Certainly the JNK inhibitor according to the present invention may also be selected from JNK inhibitors, which are a variant of any one of the JNK inhibitors according to SEQ ID NOs: 171-190. Preferably, such variant shares at least 50%, more preferably at least 55%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 171-190, in particular with SEQ ID NO: 172,

with the proviso that with respect to the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence within said sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 171-190 (see for reference inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and specific examples of SEQ ID NOs: 2-27)) such sequence sharing sequence identity

-   -   a) maintains the L-arginine (R) residue on position 4 within the         inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence,     -   b) maintains the two L-leucine (L) residues at position 8 and 10         (positions 7 and 9 with regard to SEQ ID NOs: 25-27) within the         inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence,     -   c) exhibits at least one, at least two, at least three, at least         four, at least five or six D-amino acid(s) at the respective         positions corresponding to the amino acids selected from the         group consisting of X1, X2, X3, X5, X7 and or X8 of SEQ ID NO: 1         and respective positions in SEQ ID NOs: 2-27, more preferably         exhibits at least one, at least two, at least three or four         D-amino acid(s) at the positions corresponding to the amino         acids selected from the group consisting of X3, X5, X7 and X8 of         SEQ ID NO: 1 and respective positions in SEQ ID NOs: 2-27, and     -   d) still inhibits JNK activity (i.e. is a JNK inhibitor as         defined herein).

In view of said definition and for sake of clarity the residues which may not be changed in variants of JNK inhibitors comprising SEQ ID NOs: 171-190 (see a) and b) in the above definition) are underlined in table 3.

The non-identical amino acids in the variants of JNK inhibitors comprising SEQ ID NOs: 171-190 are preferably the result of conservative amino acid substitutions (see above). Certainly, the further possible substitutions mentioned above are also contemplated for variants of JNK inhibitors comprising SEQ ID NOs: 171-190. Likewise, the present invention certainly also contemplates variants of any one of the JNK inhibitors according to SEQ ID NOs: 171-190, which deviate from the original sequence not or not exclusively in the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence, but exhibits variant residues in the transporter sequence. For variants and fragments of transporter sequences see in particular respective disclosure above.

As mentioned previously, the transporter sequence and the JNK inhibitory (poly)-peptide sequence of the JNK inhibitors according to the present invention need not necessarily be directly joined to each other. They may also be spaced apart, e.g. by intermediate (poly-)peptide sequences. Preferred intermediate sequences separating the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequences and other (functional) sequences such as transporter sequences consist of short peptide sequences less than 10 amino acids in length like a hexaamer, a pentamer, a tetramer, a tripeptide or even only a dipeptide or a single amino acid residue. Particularly preferred intermediate sequence are one, two or more copies of di-proline, di-glycine, di-arginine and/or di-lysine, all either in L-amino acid form only, or in D-amino acid form only, or with mixed D- and L-amino acids. Certainly, other known peptide spacer sequences may be employed as well.

A particularly preferred JNK inhibitor according to the present invention comprises SEQ ID NO: 8 (or a sequence sharing sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 8 with the scope and limitations defined further above) and a transporter sequence. The transporter sequence is preferably selected from any one of SEQ ID Nos: 31-170 or variants thereof as defined herein, even more preferably from any one of SEQ ID NOs: 31-34 and 46-151. A particularly preferred embodiment of a JNK inhibitor according to the present invention is a JNK inhibitor comprising SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 46 (or sequences sharing respective sequence identity thereto within the scope and limitations defined further above). A preferred example is a JNK inhibitor comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 172 or respective variants thereof varying in the transporter sequence and/or the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence as defined herein.

In a further aspect the present invention relates to a JNK inhibitor comprising

-   -   a) an inhibitory (poly-)peptide comprising a sequence from the         group of sequences consisting of RPTTLNLF (SEQ ID NO: 191),         KRPTTLNLF (SEQ ID NO: 192), RRPTTLNLF and/or RPKRPTTLNLF (SEQ ID         NO: 193), and     -   b) a transporter sequence, preferably a transporter sequence         selected from the transporter sequences disclosed in table 2 or         variants/fragments thereof, even more preferably selected from         SEQ ID NOs: 31-34 and 46-151 or respective variants or fragments         thereof.

The transporter sequence and the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence may overlap. Preferred transporter sequences for said embodiment of the invention are particularly the transporter sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46, preferably joined (e.g. directly) to the N-Terminus of the inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence.

A JNK inhibitor of the present invention may also be a JNK inhibitor comprising or consisting of the sequence GRKKRRQRRRPPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD (SEQ ID NO: 194), or the sequence GRKKRRQRRRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD (SEQ ID NO: 195).

In a further aspect the present invention relates to a (poly-)peptide comprising a transporter sequence selected from the group of sequences consisting of rKKRrQRr (SEQ ID NO: 148), rKKRrQRrK (SEQ ID NO: 149), and/or rKKRrQRrR (SEQ ID NO: 150).

As used herein, comprising a certain sequence or a certain SEQ ID NO: usually implies that (at least) one copy of said sequence is present, e g. in the JNK inhibitor molecule. For example, one inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence will usually suffice to achieve sufficient inhibition of JNK activity. However, the inventor certainly contemplate that the use of two or more copies of the respective sequence (e.g. two or more copies of an inhibitory (poly-)peptide sequence of different or same type and/or two or more copies of a transporter sequence of different or the same type) may also employed as long as the overall ability of the resulting molecule to inhibit JNK activity is not abolished (i.e. the respective molecule is still a JNK inhibitor as defined herein).

The inventive JNK inhibitors may be obtained or produced by methods well-known in the art, e.g. by chemical synthesis via solid-phase peptide synthesis using Fmoc (9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl) strategy, i.e. by successive rounds of Fmoc deprotection and Fmoc-amino acid coupling cycles. A commercial service offering such peptide synthesis is provided by many companies, for example the company PolyPeptide (StraRbourg, France).

Antibodies

In a further aspect the present invention relates to the production of antibodies raised against the JNK inhibitors of the present invention, i.e. methods of producing antibodies recognizing the JNK inhibitors of the present invention. Methods for producing antibodies are extremely well known in the art.

Thus, the present invention relates also to a method of immunizing a non-human animal with a JNK inhibitor according to the present invention, the method comprising the following step:

-   -   contacting (immunizing) a non-human animal suitable for antibody         production,         -   in particular a non-human mammal,         -   more preferably an animal selected from goat and rodents             such as mouse, rat, and rabbit     -   with a JNK inhibitor of the present invention,         -   more preferably with a JNK inhibitor comprising or             consisting of a (poly-)peptide having a sequence selected             from any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-27.

As used herein “immunizing” is understood to be of non-therapeutic nature, since the JNK inhibitors according to the present invention are no pathogens (i.e. there is no need for therapy).

The present invention relates also to a method of producing an (polyclonal) antibody recognizing a JNK inhibitor according to the present invention, the method comprising the step of:

-   -   Isolating from a non-human animal suitable for antibody         production,         -   in particular a non human mammal,         -   more preferably an animal selected from goat and rodents             such as mouse, rat, and rabbit,     -   which has been contacted (immunized) previously with a JNK         inhibitor of the present invention,         -   more preferably with a JNK inhibitor comprising or             consisting of a (poly-)peptide         -   having a sequence selected from any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-27,     -   an (polyclonal) antibody recognizing said JNK inhibitor.

The present invention relates also to a method of isolating a cell producing an antibody recognizing a JNK inhibitor according to the present invention, the method comprising the step of:

-   -   Isolating from a non-human animal suitable for antibody         production,         -   in particular a non human mammal,         -   more preferably an animal selected from goat and rodents             such as mouse, rat, and rabbit,     -   which has been contacted (immunized) previously with a JNK         inhibitor of the present invention,         -   more preferably with a JNK inhibitor comprising or             consisting of a (poly-)peptide having a sequence selected             from any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-27,     -   a cell producing said antibody recognizing said JNK inhibitor,         and     -   optionally immortalizing said cell.

The present invention relates also to a method of producing a (monoclonal) antibody recognizing a JNK inhibitor according to the present invention, the method comprising the step of:

-   -   Isolating an antibody recognizing a JNK inhibitor of the present         invention,         -   more preferably recognizing a JNK inhibitor consisting of a             (poly-)peptide having a sequence selected from any one of             SEQ ID NOs: 1-27,     -   from the cell culture supernatant of a cell producing said         antibody, the cell being optionally immortalized.

A person skilled in the art will understand, that the method of immunizing a non-human animal and the method of producing an (polyclonal) antibody as disclosed herein may be carried out consecutively. Similarly, the method of immunizing a non-human animal, the method of isolating a cell producing an antibody and the method of producing an (monoclonal) antibody may be combined.

In a further aspect the present invention relates to an antibody producible (and/or produced) with the methods according to the present invention for producing a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody, wherein the antibody recognizes at least one (poly-)peptide comprising or consisting of a sequence selected from any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-27, but does preferably not (or at least to lesser extent, e.g. at least by one order of magnitude) recognize the essentially same (poly-) peptide with L-amino acids in place of the D-amino acids in the respective sequence stretch of SEQ ID NO: 1-27. Preferably, such antibody does recognize a JNK inhibitor of the present invention, but does (or at least to lesser extent, e.g. at least by one order of magnitude) not recognize a (poly-)peptide comprising the sequence RPKRPTTLNLF (SEQ ID NO: 193)). A particularly preferred antibody (monoclonal or polyclonal) does recognize a JNK inhibitor comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8 (for example a JNK inhibitor comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 172), but does not (or at least to lesser extent, e.g. at least by one order of magnitude) recognize a (poly-)peptide comprising the very same sequence with L-amino acids in place of the D-amino acids.

Particularly preferred are such polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies recognizing a (poly-)peptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 172, but not recognizing (or at least recognizing to lesser extent, e.g. at least by one order of magnitude) a (poly-)peptide comprising the sequence RKKRRQRRRRPKRPATLNLF (SEQ ID NO: 199).

The present invention also relates to a cell isolated according to the above specified method of isolating a cell producing an antibody recognizing a JNK inhibitor according to the present invention, wherein the cell produces an antibody which preferably recognizes at least one (poly-) peptide selected from any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-27, but does not recognize the essentially same (poly-)peptide with L-amino acids in place of the D-amino acids in the sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 1, (e.g. does recognize a (poly-)peptide comprising the sequence RPkRPaTLNLf (SEQ ID NO: 8), but does not recognize (or at least to lesser extent, e.g. at least by one order of magnitude) a (poly-)peptide comprising the sequence RPKRPTTLNLF (SEQ ID NO: 193).

The present invention also contemplates generating antibodies against the specific transporter sequences, thereby allowing to identify for example JNK inhibitors as disclosed in table 3. Consequently, all aspects (monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies; methods of generating the same, cells producing the same etc.) discussed above for antibodies recognizing a JNK inhibitor of the present invention (in particular at least one (poly-)peptide comprising or consisting of a sequence selected from any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-27) may also be applied in the context of (poly-)peptide comprising or consisting of a sequence selected from any one of SEQ ID NOs: 31-34 and 46-151. Certainly, the reference sequence which must not be recognized (or at least to lesser extent, e.g. by at least one order of magnitude) is in this scenario again the very same sequence however with L-amino acids in place of the D-amino acids in the respective transporter sequence stretch.

Methods for testing (monoclonal and/or polyclonal) antibodies for their binding affinities are well known in the art. One possibility among other is to characterize the binding affinity of an antibody by means of a sandwich ELISA by using the target peptide as well as negative controls (e.g. the same peptide with L-amino acids only). The ELISA limit can—without being limited thereto—be calculated on blank replicates as follows: ELISA limit=average(negative control)+(3×standard deviation of negative control).

If the sample value is less or equal to the ELISA limit the tested antibody may be considered to have no affinity to the target peptide. If the sample value exceeds the ELISA limit the tested antibody may be considered to exhibit affinity to the target peptide. Moreover, the higher the sample value, the stronger is the affinity of the tested antibody for the target.

A commercial service offering production of monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies is for example Eurogentec (Seraing, Belgium).

All references cited herein are herewith incorporated by reference.

EXAMPLES

In the following, particular examples illustrating various embodiments and aspects of the invention are presented. However, the present invention shall not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description, accompanying figures and the examples below. All such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Example 1 Synthesis of MK Inhibitor SEQ ID NO: 172

As illustrative example, synthesis of the JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 is set out below. A person skilled in the art will know that said synthesis may also be used for and easily adapted to the synthesis of any other JNK inhibitor according to the present invention.

The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 was manufactured by solid-phase peptide synthesis using the Fmoc (9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl) strategy. The linker between the peptide and the resin was the Rink amide linker (p-[Fmoc-2,3-dimethoxybenzyl]-phenoxyacetic acid). The peptide was synthesized by successive Fmoc deprotection and Fmoc-amino acid coupling cycles. At the end of the synthesis, the completed peptide was cleaved by trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) directly to yield the crude C-terminal amide, which was then purified by preparative reverse phase HPLC. The purified fractions were pooled in a homogeneous batch that is treated by ion exchange chromatography to obtain its acetate salt. The peptide was then freeze-dried.

1.1 Solid Phase Synthesis of the Peptide

Except when noted, the manufacturing took place at room temperature (22° C.±7° C.) in an air-filtered environment. The scale of synthesis was 0.7 mmoles of the starting amino acid on the resin, for an expected yield of about 1 g of purified peptide. Synthesis was performed manually in a 30-50 mL reactor equipped with a fritted disk with mechanical stirring and/or nitrogen bubbling.

1.2 Preparation of the resin

The p-methylbenzhydrylamide resin (MBNA-resin) was first washed with dichloromethane/dimethylformamide/diisoproplyethylamine under nitrogen. The washed resin was then coupled to the Rink amide linker (p-[Fmox-2,4-dimethoxybenzyl]-phenoxyacetic acid) in PyBOB(benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate)/diisopropyl-ethylamine/1-hydroxybenzotriazole to yield Fmoc-Rink amide-MBNA resin.

1.3 Coupling of Amino Acids

Amino acids were coupled to the resin using the following cycle:

The Fmoc-Rink amide-MBNA resin was deprotected by washing it in 35% (v/v) piperidine/dimethylformamide, followed by dimethylformamide. The deprotection reaction took approximately 16 minutes. Fmoc-protected amino acids (e.g., 2 eq of amino acid and HOBt (1-hydroxybenzotriazole) in dimethylformamide/dichloromethane (50/50) were added to the resin followed by addition of 2 eq of the coupling agent diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC). The coupling reaction took from one hour to overnight depending upon the respective amino acid being added. Volumes were calculated on a basis of 0.5 mL/100 mg of peptide-resin and adjusted after each cycle. After coupling, the resin was washed 3 times with DMF. Completeness of coupling was tested by the ninhydrin test (or Kaiser test 1) on primary amines and the chloranyl test 2 on secondary amines. On some occasions, the chloranyl test may be associated with a ninhydrin test as a security control. In case the coupling test indicated incompleteness of reaction, coupling was repeated with a lower excess (0.5-1 eq) of amino acid, PYBOP, HOBT in dimethylformamide/dichloromethane and diisopropylethylamine. Functionality of the resin was measured and generally 0.6-0.2 meq/g, depending on the original loading of the resin. After the last amino acid has been coupled, the peptide-resin was deprotected as usual and then washed 5 times with DCM before drying in an oven under vacuum at 30° C. After the peptide-resin had dried, the yield of the solid-phase synthesis was calculated as the ratio of the weight increase of the peptide resin compared to the theoretical weight increase calculated from the initial loading of the resin. The yield may be close to 100%.

1.4 Cleavage and Deprotection

The peptide was cleaved from the resin in a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid/1,2-ethanedthiol/thioanisole/water/phenol (88/2.2/4.4/4.4/7 v/v), also called TFA/K reagent, for 4 hours at room temperature. The reaction volume was 1 mL/100 mg of peptide resin. During addition of the resin to the reagent, the mixture temperature was regulated to stay below 30° C.

1.5 Extraction of the Peptide from the Resin:

The peptide was extracted from the resin by filtration through a fritted disc. After concentration on a rotavapor to ⅓ of its volume, the peptide was precipitated by cold t-butyl methyl ether and filtered. The crude peptide was then dried under vacuum at 30° C.

1.6 Preparative HPLC Purification:

The crude peptide was then purified by reverse-phase HPLC to a purity of 95%. The purified fractions were concentrated on a rotavaporator and freeze-dried.

1.7 Ion Exchange Chromatography

The concentrated freeze-dried pools of purified peptide with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 172 was dissolved in water and purified by ion exchange chromatography on Dowex acetate, 50-100 mesh resin.

The required starting reagents for the synthesis were:

CAS Registry Molecular Number Chemical Name Weight Fmoc-Rink amide linker 145069-56-3 p-[Fmoc-2,4-dimethoxybenzyl]- 539.6 phenoxyacetic acid Fmoc-D-Ala-OH, H₂O 79990-15-1 N-alpha-Fmoc-D-alanine 311.3 Fmoc-Arg(Pbf)-OH 154445-77-9 N-alpha-Fmoc-N [2,2,4,6,7- 648.8 pentamethyldihydrobenzofuran-5- sulfonyl]-arginine Fmoc-D-Arg(Pbf)-OH 187618-60-6 N-alpha-Fmoc-N [2,2,4,6,7- 648.8 pentamethyldihydrobenzofuran-5- sulfonyl]-D-arginine Fmoc-Asn(Trt)-OH 132388-59-1 N-alpha-Fmoc-N- -trityl-asparagine 596.7 Fmoc-Gln(Trt)-OH 132327-80-1 N-alpha-Fmoc-N- -trityl-glutamine 610.7 Fmoc-Leu-OH 35661-60-0 N-alpha-Fmoc-leucine 353.4 Fmoc-Lys(Boc)-OH 71989-26-9 N-alpha-Fmoc-N -Boc-lysine 468.5 Fmoc-D-Lys(Boc)-OH 143824-78-6 N-alpha-Fmoc-N -Boc-D-lysine 468.5 Fmoc-D-Phe-OH 86123-10-6 N-alpha-Fmoc-D-phenylalanine 387.4 Fmoc-Pro-OH 71989-31-6 N-alpha-Fmoc-proline 337.4 Fmoc-Thr(tBu)-OH 71989-35-0 N-alpha-Fmoc-O-t-butyl-threonine 397.5

Other JNK inhibitors of the present invention may prepared in similar manner.

Example 2 Inhibitory Efficacy of Selected JNK Inhibitors According to the Present Invention

In the following the standard operating procedure will be set forth describing how the Inhibitory efficacy of JNK inhibitors according to the present invention was measured. The method allows to measure in vitro, in a non radioactive standardized assay, the ability of a candidate compound to decrease the phosphorylation of the c-Jun specific substrate by JNK. Moreover, it will be illustrated how to determine the inhibitory effect (IC50) and the Ki of a chosen compound for JNK. The method is suitable to verify whether a candidate compound does or does not inhibit JNK activity. and a person skilled in the art will certainly understand how to adapt the below methods for his specific purposes and needs.

2.1 Material

AlphaScreen Reagent and Plate:

-   -   His-JNK1 (ref 14-327, Upstate, 10 μg in 100 μl: concentration:         2.2 μM) 5 nM final     -   His-JNK2 (ref 14-329, Upstate, 10 μg in 100 μl: concentration: 2         μM) 5 nM final     -   His-JNK3 (ref 14-501, Upstate, 10 μg in 100 μl: concentration:         1.88 μM) 5 nM final     -   Anti-Phospho-cJun (ref 06-828, Upstate, lot DAM1503356,         concentration: 44.5 μM) 10 nM final     -   Biotin-cJun (29-67):     -   sequence: Biotin—SNPKILKQSMTLNLADPVGSLKPHLRAKNSDLLTSPDVG (SEQ ID         NO: 198), lot 100509 (mw 4382.11, P 99.28%) dissolved in H₂O,         concentration: 10 mM) 30 nM final     -   ATP (ref AS001A, Invitrogen, lot 50860B, concentration 100 mM))         5 μM final     -   SAD beads (ref 6760617M, PerkinElmer, lot 540-460-A,         concentration 5 mg/ml) 20 μg/ml final     -   AprotA beads (ref 6760617M, PerkinElmer, lot 540-460-A,         concentration 5 mg/ml) 20 μg/ml final     -   Optiplate 384 well white plate (ref 6007299, PerkinElmer, lot         654280/2008)     -   96 well plate for peptide dilution (ref 82.1581, Sarstedt)     -   TopSeals-A (ref 6005185, Perkin Elmer, Lot 65673)     -   Bioluminescent energy transfer reading     -   The bioluminescent energy transfer was read on the Fusion Alpha         Plate reader (Perkin Elmer).         Pipette:     -   An electronic EDP3 pipette 20-300 (Ref 17007243; Rainin) was         used to fill in the plate with the Enzme-Antibody mix, the         Subtrate-ATP mix and the Beads.     -   A PIPETMAN® Ultra multichannel 8×20 (Ref 21040; Gilson) was used         to fill in the plate with the inhibitory compounds.         Buffer and Solutions     -   Kinase Buffer: 20 mM Tris-base pH 7.4, 10 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM DTT,         100 M Na₃VO₄, 0.01% Tween, (1% DMSO)     -   Stop Buffer: 20 mM Tris-base pH 7.4, 200 mM NaCl, 80 mM EDTA-K         (pH de 8 with KOH instead of NaOH), 0.3% BSA     -   JNK dilution Kinase buffer: 50 mM Tris-base pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl,         0.1 mM EGTA, 0.03% Brij-35, 270 mM sucrose, 0.1%         mercaptoethanol.         2.2 Method

To assess inhibitory effect of the peptides, a standard AlphaScreen assay (see for example Guenat et al. J Biomol Screen, 2006; 11: pages 1015-1026) was performed. The different components were prepared and subsequently mixed as indicated. The plates were sealed and incubated as following:

5 JNK + Antibody 5 TP kinase +/− inhibiteur Pre-incubation 30 min 5 Biotin-cJun + ATP Incubation 60 min at 24° C. 10 Beads SAD + A protA Incubation 60 min in the dark at 24° C.

To avoid contamination, the mixes were added with the pipette in different corner of the well. After the filling in of the plate with each mix, the plate was tapped (Keep one side fix and let the opposite side tap the table) to let the mix go down the walls of the wells.

The bioluminescent energy transfer was read on the Fusion Alpha Plate reader (Perkin Elmer).

All compounds should at least be tested in triplicate in 3 independent experiments for each isoform of JNK. Possibly concentrations of the compounds to be tested were 0, 0.03 nM, 0.1 nM, 0.3 nM, 1 nM, 3 nM, 10 nM, 30 nM, 100 nM, 300 nM, 1 μM, 3 μM, 10 μM, 30 μM, and 100 μM. Controls were samples either without JNK or without substrate (c-Jun).

Mix Preparation

JNK1, JNK2 and JNK3 5 nM

Biotin-cJun 30 nM

ATP 5 μM; Anti phospho-cJun (S63) 10 nM

Bille SAD/AprotA 20 μg/ml

Antibody [final]=10 nM (anti Phospho cJun (S63))

Detection part: [Mix]×5 (5 μl in final volume of 25 μl)

[Stock]=44.5 μM (ref 06-828, Upstate, Lot DAM1503356)

nM→50 nM in Kinase Buffer

JNK1, JNK2 and JNK3 [final]=5 nM

Reaction part: [Mix] X3 (5 μl in final volume of 15 μl)

[Stock]=2.2 μM for JNK1 (ref 14-327, Upstate, lot D7KN022CU)

-   -   2.0 ΞM for JNK2 (ref 14-329, Upstate, lot 33221CU)     -   1.88 μM for JNK3 (ref 14-501, Upstate, lot D7CN041CU)         5 nM→4 15 nM in Antibody Buffer         Inhibitor:         Reaction part: [Mix]×3 (5 μl in final volume of 15 μl)         [Stock]=10 mM         100 μM→300 μM in Kinase Buffer         30 μM→90 μM in Kinase Buffer         10 μM→30 μM in Kinase Buffer         . . .         0.03 nM→0.09 nM in Kinase Buffer         And 0 nM→Kinase Buffer

Two series of 10 times serial dilutions were performed in a 96 well plate, one beginning with 300 μM to 0 nM, the second with 90 μM to 0.03 nM. The peptides are added in the 384 plates with an 8 channels multipipette (ref F14401, Gilson, 8×20).

ATP [final]=5 μM

Reaction part: [Mix]×3 (5 μl in final volume of 15 μl)

[Stock]=100 mM (ref AS001A, Invitrogen, lot 50860B)

5 μM→15 μM in Kinase Buffer

Biotin c-Jun [final]=30 nM

Reaction part: [Mix]×3 (5 μl in final volume of 15 μl)

[Stock]=10 mM

30 nM→30 nM in ATP Buffer

Beads SAD/A ProtA [final]=20 μg/ml (Light sensitive)

Detection part: [Mix]×2.5 (10 μl in final volume of 25 μl)

[Stock]=5 mg/ml→20 μg/ml 50 μg/ml in STOP Buffer

Mix in the dark room (green Light) or in the darkness.

Analysis of the IC50 curves:

The analysis was performed by the GraphPad Prism4 software with the following equation: Sigmoidal dose-response (No constraint). Y=Bottom+(Top−Bottom)/(1+10^((Log EC50−X))) The outliers data were avoided using Grugg's test. Comparison of the IC50:

The analysis was performed by the GraphPad Prism4 software with the following test: One way ANOVA test followed by a Tukey's Multiple Comparison Test. P<0.05 was considerate as significant.

The Km of the ATP for JNK and the Km of biotin-cJun specific peptide were determined in the report AlphaScreen standardization assay

The mathematical relation between Ki and IC50 (Ki=IC50/(1+([Substrate]/Km of the substrate)) may be used to calculate the Ki values.

Example 3 Internalization Experiments and Analysis

3.1 Materials and Methods for Uptake Experiments

-   -   a) Cell line:         -   The cell line used for this experiment was HL-60 (Ref             CCL-240, ATCC, Lot 116523)     -   b) Culture medium and plates         -   RPMI (Ref 21875-091, Invitrogen, Lot 8296) or DMEM (Ref             41965, Invitrogen, Lot 13481) complemented on May 5, 2008             with:             -   10% FBS (Ref A64906-0098, PAA, Lot A15-151):                 decomplemented at 56° C., 30 min, on Apr. 4, 2008.             -   1 mM Sodium Pyruvate (Ref S8636, Sigma, Lot 56K2386)                 Penicillin (100 unit/ml)/Streptomycin (100 g/ml) (Ref                 P4333, Sigma, Lot 106K2321)         -   PBS 10× (Ref 70011, Invitrogen, Lot 8277): diluted to 1×             with sterile H₂O         -   Trypsine-0.05% EDTA (Ref L-11660, PAA, Lot L66007-1194)         -   6 well culture plates (Ref 140675, Nunc, Lot 102613)         -   24 well culture plates (Ref 142475, Nunc, Lot 095849)         -   96 well culture plates (Ref 167008, Nunc, Lot 083310)         -   96 well plates for protein dosing (Ref 82.1581, Sarstedt)         -   96 well plates for fluorescence measurement (Ref 6005279,             Perkin Elmer)     -   c) Solutions         -   Poly-D-lysine coating solution (Sigma P9011 Lot 095K5104):             25 g/ml final diluted in PBS 1×         -   Acidic wash buffer: 0.2M Glycin, 0.15M NaCl, pH 3.0         -   Ripa lysis buffer: 10 mM NaH₂PO₄ pH 7.2, 150 mM NaCl, 1%             Triton X-100, 1 mM EDTA pH 8.0, 200 M Na₃VO₂, 0.1% SDS, 1×             protease inhibitor cocktail (Ref 11873580001, Roche, Lot             13732700)     -   d) Microscopy and fluorescence plate reader         -   Cells were observed and counted using an inverted microscope             (Axiovert 40 CFL; Zeiss; 20×).         -   The fluorescence was read with the Fusion Alpha Plate reader             (Perkin Elmer).     -   e) Method         -   FITC marked peptide internalization was studied on             suspension cells. Cells were plated into poly-DL-lysine             coated dishes at a concentration of 1×10⁶ cells/ml. Plates             were then incubated for 24 h at 37° C., 5% CO₂ and 100%             relative humidity prior to the addition of a known             concentration of peptide. After peptide addition, the cells             were incubated 30 min, 1, 6 or 24 h at 37° C., 5% CO₂ and             100% relative humidity. Cells were then washed twice with an             acidic buffer (Glycin 0.2 M, NaCl 0.15 M, pH 3.0) in order             to remove the cell-surface adsorbed peptide (see Kameyama et             al., (2007), Biopolymers, 88, 98-107). The acidic buffer was             used as peptides rich in basic amino acids adsorb strongly             on the cell surfaces, which often results in overestimation             of internalized peptide. The cell wash using an acidic             buffer was thus employed to remove the cell-surface adsorbed             peptides. The acid wash was carried out in determining             cellular uptake of Fab/cell-permeating peptide conjugates,             followed by two PBS washes. Cells were broken by the             addition of the RIPA lysis buffer. The relative amount of             internalized peptide was then determined by fluorescence             after background subtraction and protein content             normalization.     -   The steps are thus: 1. Cell culture         -   2. Acidic wash and cellular extracts         -   3. Analysis of peptide internalization with a fluorescence             plate reader     -   f) Cell culture and peptide treatment

The 6 well culture plates are coated with 3 ml of Poly-D-Lys (Sigma P9011; 25 μg/ml in PBS), the 24 well plates with 600 μl and the 96 well plates with 125 μl and incubated for 4 h at 37° C., CO₂ 5% and 100% relative humidity.

After 4 hours the dishes were washed twice with 3.5 ml PBS, 700 μl or 150 μl PBS for the 6, 24 or 96 well plates, respectively.

The cells were plated into the dishes in 2.4 ml medium (RPMI) at plating densities of 1,000,000 cells/ml for suspension cells. After inoculation, the plates were incubated at 37° C., 5% CO₂ and 100% relative humidity for 24 hours prior to the addition of the peptide. Adherent cells should be at a density of 90-95% the day of treatment and were plated in DMEM:

Surface of culture Nb adherent Nb suspension well (cm²) Medium cells cells 96 well 0.3 100-200 μl 8′000-30′000    100′000 24 well 2 500-1000 μl 100′000-200′000   500′000-1′000′000 35 mm (P35)/ 10 2.4 ml 250′000-2′100′000 2′400′000 6 well 60 mm (P60) 20 3.5 ml   15 * 10⁵ 1′000′000/ml 10 cm (P100) 60 10 ml 15-60 * 10⁵

The cells were treated with the desired concentration of FITC labeled peptide (stock solution at a concentration of 10 mM in H₂O).

Following peptide addition, the cells were incubated 0 to 24 hours (e.g. 30 min, 1, 6 or 24 hours) at 37° C., CO₂ 5% and 100% relative humidity.

Acidic Wash and Cellular Extracts:

The extracts were cooled on ice.

Suspension cells (or cells, which don attach well to the dish):

Transfer the cells in <<Falcon 15 ml>>. To recover the maximum of cells, wash the dish with 1 ml of PBS.

Harvest the cells 2 min at 2400 rpm max.

Suspend the cells in 1 ml cold PBS.

Transfer the cells into a coated “Eppendorf tube” (coated with 1 ml of poly D-Lys for 4 hours and washed twice with 1 ml PBS).

Wash three times with 1 ml of cold acidic wash buffer and centrifuge 2 min at 2400 rpm max.

Beware of the spreading of the cells in the “eppendorf”.

Wash twice with 1 ml cold PBS to neutralize.

Add 50 μl of lysis RIPA Buffer.

Incubate 30 min-1 h on ice with agitation.

Adherent Cells:

Wash three times with 3 ml, 1 ml or 200 μl (for 6, 24 or 96 well plates, respectively) of cold acidic wash buffer. Beware of the cells who detach from the dish.

Wash twice with 1 ml cold PBS (for 6, 24 or 96 well plates, respectively) to neutralize.

Add 50 μl of lysis RIPA buffer.

Incubate 30 min-1 h on ice with agitation.

Scrap the cells with a cold scrapper. The 24 and 96 well plates were directly centrifuged at 4000 rpm at 4° for 15 min to remove the cellular debris. Then the supernatants (100 or 50 ml respectively for the 24 or 96 well plates) were directly transferred in a dark 96 well plated. The plates were read by a fluorescence plate reader (Fusion Alpha, Perkin Elmer).

Transfer the lysate in a coated “eppendorf” (coated with 1 ml of poly D-Lys for 4 hours and wash twice with 1 ml PBS).

The lysed cells were then centrifuged 30 min at 10000 g at 4° C. to remove the cellular debris. Remove the supernatant and store it at −80° C. in a coated “Eppendorf tube” (coated with 1 ml of poly D-Lys for 4 hours and washed twice with 1 ml PBS).

Analysis of Peptide Internalization with a Fluorescence Plate Reader

The content of each protein extract was determined by a standard BCA assay (Kit No 23225, Pierce), following the instructions of the manufacturer.

The relative fluorescence of each sample is determined after reading 10 l of each sample in a fluorescence plate reader (Fusion Alpha, Perkin Elmer), background subtraction and normalization by protein concentration.

3.2 Uptake Experiments

The time dependant internalization (uptake) of FITC-labeled TAT derived transporter constructs into cells of the HL-60 cell line was carried out as described above using sequences transporter peptides of SEQ ID NOs: 52-96, 43, and 45-47. These sequences are listed below in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Transporter sequence tested in uptake experiments peptide No: SEQ ID abbreviation NO: in FIG. 6 46 r3-L-TAT H2N dR K K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 52  1 H2N dR A K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 53  2 H2N dR K A R dR Q R R dR CONH2 54  3 H2N dR K K A dR Q R R dR CONH2 55  4 H2N dR K K R dR A R R dR CONH2 56  5 H2N dR K K R dR Q A R dR CONH2 57  6 H2N dR K K R dR Q R A dR CONH2 58  7 H2N dR D K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 59  8 H2N dR K D R dR Q R R dR CONH2 60  9 H2N dR K K D dR Q R R dR CONH2 61 10 H2N dR K K R dR D R R dR CONH2 62 11 H2N dR K K R dR Q D R dR CONH2 63 12 H2N dR K K R dR Q R D dR CONH2 64 13 H2N dR E K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 65 14 H2N dR K E R dR Q R R dR CONH2 66 15 H2N dR K K E dR Q R R dR CONH2 67 16 H2N dR K K R dR E R R dR CONH2 68 17 H2N dR K K R dR Q E R dR CONH2 69 18 H2N dR K K R dR Q R E dR CONH2 70 19 H2N dR F K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 71 20 H2N dR K F R dR Q R R dR CONH2 72 21 H2N dR K K F dR Q R R dR CONH2 73 22 H2N dR K K R dR F R R dR CONH2 74 23 H2N dR K K R dR Q F R dR CONH2 75 24 H2N dR K K R dR Q R F dR CONH2 76 25 H2N dR R K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 77 26 H2N dR K R R dR Q R R dR CONH2 78 27 H2N dR K K K dR Q R R dR CONH2 79 28 H2N dR K K R dR R R R dR CONH2 80 29 H2N dR K K R dR Q K R dR CONH2 81 30 H2N dR K K R dR Q R K dR CONH2 82 31 H2N dR H K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 83 32 H2N dR K H R dR Q R R dR CONH2 84 33 H2N dR K K H dR Q R R dR CONH2 85 34 H2N dR K K R dR H R R dR CONH2 86 35 H2N dR K K R dR Q H R dR CONH2 87 36 H2N dR K K R dR Q R H dR CONH2 88 37 H2N dR I K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 89 38 H2N dR K I R dR Q R R dR CONH2 90 39 H2N dR K K I dR Q R R dR CONH2 91 40 H2N dR K K R dR I R R dR CONH2 92 41 H2N dR K K R dR Q I R dR CONH2 93 42 H2N dR K K R dR Q R I dR CONH2 94 43 H2N dR L K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 45 44 (D-TAT) H2N dR dR dR dQ dR dR dK dK dR CONH2 47 45 (r3-L- H2N dR R R Q dR R K K dR CONH2 TATi) 46 46 (r3-L- H2N dR K K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 TAT) 43 47 (L-TAT) H2N R K K R R Q R R R CONH2 99 48 H2N dR K K R dR Q R L dR CONH2 100 49 H2N dR M K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 101 50 H2N dR K M R dR Q R R dR CONH2 102 51 H2N dR K K M dR Q R R dR CONH2 103 52 H2N dR K K R dR M R R dR CONH2 104 53 H2N dR K K R dR Q M R dR CONH2 105 54 H2N dR K K R dR Q R M dR CONH2 106 55 H2N dR N K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 107 56 H2N dR K N R dR Q R R dR CONH2 108 57 H2N dR K K N dR Q R R dR CONH2 109 58 H2N dR K K R dR N R R dR CONH2 110 59 H2N dR K K R dR Q N R dR CONH2 111 60 H2N dR K K R dR Q R N dR CONH2 112 61 H2N dR Q K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 113 62 H2N dR K Q R dR Q R R dR CONH2 114 63 H2N dR K K Q dR Q R R dR CONH2 115 64 H2N dR K K R dR K R R dR CONH2 116 65 H2N dR K K R dR Q Q R dR CONH2 117 66 H2N dR K K R dR Q R Q dR CONH2 118 67 H2N dR S K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 119 68 H2N dR K S R dR Q R R dR CONH2 120 69 H2N dR K K S dR Q R R dR CONH2 121 70 H2N dR K K R dR S R R dR CONH2 122 71 H2N dR K K R dR Q S R dR CONH2 123 72 H2N dR K K R dR Q R S dR CONH2 124 73 H2N dR T K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 125 74 H2N dR K T R dR Q R R dR CONH2 126 75 H2N dR K K T dR Q R R dR CONH2 127 76 H2N dR K K R dR T R R dR CONH2 128 77 H2N dR K K R dR Q T R dR CONH2 129 78 H2N dR K K R dR Q R T dR CONH2 130 79 H2N dR V K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 131 80 H2N dR K V R dR Q R R dR CONH2 132 81 H2N dR K K V dR Q R R dR CONH2 133 82 H2N dR K K R dR V R R dR CONH2 134 83 H2N dR K K R dR Q V R dR CONH2 135 84 H2N dR K K R dR Q R V dR CONH2 136 85 H2N dR W K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 137 86 H2N dR K W R dR Q R R dR CONH2 138 87 H2N dR K K W dR Q R R dR CONH2 139 88 H2N dR K K R dR W R R dR CONH2 140 89 H2N dR K K R dR Q W R dR CONH2 141 90 H2N dR K K R dR Q R W dR CONH2 142 91 H2N dR Y K R dR Q R R dR CONH2 143 92 H2N dR K Y R dR Q R R dR CONH2 144 93 H2N dR K K Y dR Q R R dR CONH2 145 94 H2N dR K K R dR Y R R dR CONH2 146 95 H2N dR K K R dR Q Y R dR CONH2 147 96 H2N dR K K R dR Q R Y dR CONH2

In the above table D amino acids are indicated by a small “d” prior to the respective amino acid residue (e.g. dR=D-Arg).

For a few sequences synthesis failed in the first approach unfortunately due to technical reasons. These sequences are abbreviated in FIGS. 6A and 6B as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 43, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, and 90. However, the remaining sequences were used in the internalization experiments.

The results are shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

As can be seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B, after 24 hours incubation, all transporters with the consensus sequence rXXXrXXXr (SEQ ID NO: 31) showed a higher internalization capability than the L-TAT transporter (SEQ ID NO: 43). Hela cells were incubated 24 hours in 96 well plate with 10 mM of the r3-L-TAT-derived transporters. The cells were then washed twice with an acidic buffer (0.2M Glycin, 0.15M NaCl, pH 3.0) and twice with PBS. Cells were broken by the addition of RIPA lysis buffer. The relative amount of internalized peptide was then determined by reading the fluorescence intensity (Fusion Alpha plate reader; PerkinElmer) of each extract followed by background subtraction

As can be seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B, one positions appears to be critical for highest transporter activity and for improved kinetics of transport activity: Y in position 2 (peptide No 91 corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 142).

The conclusion of this experiment is as follows:

-   -   After 24 hours incubation, all transporters with the consensus         sequence rXXXrXXXr (SEQ ID NO: 31) (see Table 2 for a selection         of possible sequences) showed a higher internalization         capability than the L-TAT transporter (SEQ ID NO: 43) (FIG. 6A).         Those results fully validate the consensus sequence rXXXrXXXr         (SEQ ID NO: 31).     -   One position is critical for highest transporter activity and         (FIG. 6B): Y in position 2 (sequence 91 corresponding to SEQ ID         NO: 142).

Accordingly, such TAT derived sequences as shown in Table 4 are preferred, which exhibit an Y in position 2, particularly when the sequence exhibits 9 aa and has the consensus sequence rXXXrXXXr (SEQ ID NO: 31).

Example 4 Measurement of Cytokine and Chemokine Release

In the following the procedure will be set forth describing how the released amount of several human cytokines after ligand induced secretion from human cells (Blood, WBC, PBMC, purified primary lymphocytes, cell lines, . . . ) was measured.

The technique used is a Sandwich ELISA, which allows measuring the amount of antigen between two layers of antibodies (i.e. capture and detection antibody). The antigen to be measured must contain at least two antigenic sites capable of binding to antibody, since at least two antibodies act in the sandwich. Either monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies can be used as the capture and detection antibodies in Sandwich ELISA systems. Monoclonal antibodies recognize a single epitope that allows fine detection and quantification of small differences in antigen. A polyclonal is often used as the capture antibody to pull down as much of the antigen as possible. The advantage of Sandwich ELISA is that the sample does not have to be purified before analysis, and the assay can be very sensitive (up to 2 to 5 times more sensitive than direct or indirect).

The method may be used to determine the effect of the JNK inhibitors of the present invention in vitro/cell culture. At non toxic doses, compound efficacy is indicated by the decrease of the cytokine levels (the variation of optical density (absorbance at 450 nm)) as compared to non-treated samples and is monitored by ELISA. Results are express in ng/ml.

4.1 Material

-   -   96 well plate:         -   for collecting the supernatants (Ref 82.1581, Sarstedt)         -   for ELISA (F96 maxisorp, Ref 442404, Nunc)     -   TopSeal-A: 96 well microplate seals (Ref 600585, PerkinElmer).     -   ELISA reagent         -   Coating buffer ELISA: 0.1M NaCarbonate pH 9.5 (=7.13 g             NaHCO₃ (ref 71627, Fluka)+1.59 g Na₂CO₃ (ref 71345, Fluka)             in 1 liter H2O, pH to 9.5 with NaOH concentrated)         -   Wash buffer ELISA: PBS 1×+0.01% Tween20. Prepare 1 liter PBS             1× (PBS10×: ref 70011, GIBCO) and add 100 ul of Tween20 (ref             P1379, Sigma) slowly while mixing with magnetic agitator)         -   Assay diluent: PBS 1×+10% FBS (Ref A15-151, PAA,             decomplemented at 56° C., 30 min).         -   DAKO TMB (ref 51599, DAKO): commercial substrate solution         -   Stop Solution: 1M H₃PO₄ (→ for 200 ml=177 ml H₂O+23 ml H₃PO₄             85% (ref 345245, Aldrich).     -   ELISA Kit (reagent for 20 plates)         -   IFN-: Human IFN-γ ELISA set, BD OptEIA™ (ref 555142, DB).         -   IL-1: Human IL-18 ELISA set II, BD OptEIA™ (ref 557953, BD)         -   IL-10: Human IL-10 ELISA set II, BD OptEIA™ (ref 555157,             DB).         -   IL-12: Human IL-12 (p70) ELISA set, BD OptEIA™ (ref 555183,             DB).         -   IL-15: Human IL-15 ELISA Set, BD OptEIA™ (ref 559268, DB).         -   IL-2: Human IL-2 ELISA set, BD OptEIA™ (ref 555190, DB).         -   IL-4: Human IL-4 ELISA set, BD OptEIA™ (ref 555194, DB).         -   IL-5: Human IL-5 ELISA set, BD OptEIA™ (ref 555202, DB).         -   IL-6: Human IL-6 ELISA setl, BD OptEIA™ (ref 555220, DB).         -   IL-8: Human IL-8 ELISA set, BD OptEIA™ (ref 555244, DB).         -   MCP-1: Human MCP-1 ELISA set, BD OptEIA™ (ref 555179, BD)         -   TNF-: Kit human TNF ELISA set, BD OptEIA™ (ref 555212, DB).     -   Absorbance reading: The absorbance was read on the Fusion Alpha         Plate reader (Perkin Elmer).     -   Repeating pipettes, digital pipettes or multichannel pipettes.         4.2 Method

Preparation of the Samples

-   -   The samples are culture medium supernatant from cultured human         cells (typically whole blood, WBC, PBMC, Purified subtype of         WBC, cancerous cell lines). Remove any particulate material by         centrifugation (400 g 5 min 4° C.) and assay immediately or         store samples at ≦−20° C. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.     -   One hour before using, defrost the samples on ice and centrifuge         them. At step 11, dilute the samples in assay diluent directly         into the plate (add first assay diluent, then the samples and         pipette up and down):

Preparation of Standard

-   -   After warming lyophilized standard to room temperature,         carefully open vial to avoid loss of material. Reconstitute         lyophilized standard with the proposed volume of deionized water         to yield a stock standard. Allow the standard to equilibrate for         at least 15 minutes before making dilutions. Vortex gently         to mix. After reconstitution, immediately aliquot standard stock         in polypropylene vials at 50 μl per vial and freeze at −20° C.         for up to 6 months. If necessary, store at 2-8° C. for up to 8         hours prior to aliquotting/freezing. Do not leave reconstituted         standard at room temperature.     -   Immediately before use, prepare a ten point standard curve using         2-fold serial dilutions in reagent Diluent. A high standard of         4000 pg/ml is recommended.

Preparation of Detector Mix

-   -   One-step incubation of Biotin/SAv reagents. Add required volume         of Detection Antibody to Assay Diluent. Within 15 minutes prior         to use, add required quantity of Enzyme Reagent, vortex or mix         well. For recommended dilutions, see lot-specific         Instruction/Analysis Certificate. Discard any remaining Working         Detector after use.

Coating with Capture Antibody

-   -   1. Coat the wells of a PVC microtiter plate with 100 μL per well         of Capture Antibody diluted in Coating Buffer. For recommended         antibody coating dilution, see lot-specific Instruction/Analysis         Certificate.     -   2. Cover the plate with an adhesive plastic and incubate         overnight at 4° C.     -   3. Remove the coating solution and wash the plate by filling the         wells with 150 μl wash buffer.     -   4. The solutions or washes are removed by flicking the plate         over a sink.     -   5. Repeat the process two times for a total of three washes.     -   6. After the last wash, remove any remaining wash buffer by         patting the plate on a paper towel.

Blocking

-   -   7. Block the remaining protein-binding sites in the coated wells         by adding 100 μl reagent Diluent per well.     -   8. Cover the plate with an adhesive plastic and incubate for 1 h         at room temperature.     -   9. During the incubation, start preparing the standard.

Adding Samples

-   -   10. Do one wash as in step 3 with 150 l of wash buffer. The         plates are now ready for sample addition.     -   11. Add 50 μl of appropriately diluted samples in assay diluent         to each well. For accurate quantitative results, always compare         signal of unknown samples against those of a standard curve.         Standards (triplicates) and blank must be run with each cytokine         to ensure accuracy.     -   12. Cover the plate with an adhesive plastic and incubate for 2         h at room temperature.

Incubation with Detection Antibody and Secondary Antibody

-   -   13. Wash the plate four times with 150 l wash buffer like step         3.     -   14. Add 50 μl of detector MIX (detection antibody+Secondary         Streptavidin-HRP antibody in assay diluent) to each well at         recommended dilutions (see lot-specific Instruction/Analysis         Certificate).     -   15. Cover the plate with an adhesive plastic and incubate for 1         h at room temperature light protect.     -   16. Wash the plate six times with 150 l wash buffer as in step         3.     -   17. Add 50 μl DAKO TMB solution to each well, incubate for 15-20         min at room temperature, in the dark, not sealed.     -   18. Add 50 μl of stop solution to each well. Gently tap the         plate to ensure thorough mixing.     -   19. Mix the plate 5 min at 500 rpm on a plate mixer.     -   20. Read the optical density at 450 nm. (Program: Cytokine_ELISA         on Fusion Alpha Plate reader).         Data Analysis

Average the triplicate readings for each standard control and each sample. Subtract the average zero standard optical density (O.D). Create a standard curve plotting the log of the cytokine concentration versus the log of the O.D and the best fit line can be determined by regression analysis. If samples have been diluted, the concentration read from the standard curve must be multiplied by the dilution factor. A standard curve should be generated for each set of samples assayed. The outliers data were avoided using Grugg's test. Then the data which weren't in the interval of two times the SD, were discard. The independent experiments are taken into account if the positive control showed data as previously observed. The independent experiments are pooled (N>3).

The data are presented in pg/ml of cytokine release or in %, compared to the induced condition without inhibitor treatment.

Example 5 THP1 Differentiation—Stimulation for Cytokine Release

In the following the procedure will be set forth describing how cytokine production from human PMA differentiated THP1 cells challenged by LPS for 6 h was induced in order to test the ability of JNK inhibitors of the present invention, in particular of a JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172, to reduce stimulation-induced cytokine release. THP1 cells were stimulated ex-vivo by different ligands for the readout of cytokine release. At non toxic doses, JNK inhibitor efficacy is indicated by the decrease of the cytokine levels as compared to non-treated samples and is monitored by ELISA. The toxicity of the compound are evaluated by the reduction of a tretazolium salt (MTS) to formazan, giving a purple colour.

Procedure:

a. Material

-   -   Cell Line: THP-1 (Ref TIB-202, ATCC, lot 57731475)     -   Culture medium, reagent and plates         -   RPMI (Ref 21875-091, Invitrogen) complemented with:         -   10% FBS (Ref A15-151, PAA): decomplemented at 56° C., 30             min.         -   10 mM Hepes (Ref H0887, Sigma)         -   50 M-mercaptoethanol (Ref 63690, Fluka: stock at 14.3M): add             560 l of 50 mM aliquots in PBS stocked at −20° C.)         -   1 mM Sodium Pyruvate (Ref S8636, Sigma)         -   Penicilline (100 unit/ml)/Streptomycine (100 g/ml) (Ref             P4333, Sigma)         -   The RPMI medium is then filtrated with a 0.22 M filter (Ref             SCGPU05RE, Millipore).         -   PBS 10× (Ref 70011, Invitrogen): diluted to 1× with sterile             H₂O         -   DMSO: Ref 41444, Fluka         -   PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, Ref P1585, Sigma,             concentration 1 mM=616.8 ug/ml in DMSO at −20° C.). Use             directly at a final concentration of 100 nM in RPMI (1 μl in             10 ml of medium).         -   LPS ultrapure (Lipopolysaccharide, Ref tlrl-eklps,             Invivogen, concentration 5 mg/ml): Stock solution of LPS: 3             g/ml in PBS at 4° C. Use directly to prepare a 4×             concentrated solution of 40 ng/ml in RPMI medium (min 1800             l/plate; for 5 plates: 125 l of LPS 3 g/ml+9250 l RPMI).         -   96 well plate:         -   for adherent cell culture (Ref 167008, Nunc)         -   for collecting the supernatants (Ref 82.1581, Sarstedt)         -   for ELISA (F96 maxisorp, Ref 442404, Nunc)         -   Coating solutions: poly-D-lysine (Ref P9011, Sigma): 25 g/ml             final diluted in PBS 1×     -   ELISA reagent and kits         -   Coating buffer ELISA: 0.1M NaCarbonate pH 9.5 (=7.13 g             NaHCO₃ (ref 71627, Fluka)+1.59 g Na₂CO₃ (ref 71345, Fluka)             in 1 liter H2O, pH to 9.5 with NaOH concentrated)         -   Wash buffer ELISA: PBS 1×+0.01% Tween20 (ref P1379, Sigma,             lot 094K0052)(=prepare 1 liter PBS 1× and add 100 ul of             Tween20 slowly while mixing with magnetic agitator)         -   Assay diluent: PBS 1×+10% FBS (Ref A15-151, PAA,             decomplemented at 56° C., 30 min).         -   DAKO TMB (ref 51599, DAKO): commercial substrate solution         -   Stop Solution: 1M H₃PO₄ (→ for 200 ml=177 ml H₂O+23 ml H₃PO₄             85% (ref 345245, Aldrich).         -   TNF-: Kit human TNF ELISA set, BD OptEIA (ref 555212, DB).     -   Cytotoxicity measurement: CellTiter 96 reagent (ref G3581,         Promega)     -   Control compound: SP600125 (ref ALX-270-339-MI025, Alexis,         concentration: 20 mM DMSO)     -   Absorbance reading: The absorbance was read on the Fusion Alpha         Plate reader (Perkin Elmer).     -   Repeating pipettes, digital pipettes or multichannel pipettes.     -   TopSeal-A: 96 well microplate seals (Ref 600585, PerkinElmer).         b. Method         Well Coating

The plates had been coated with 200 l of poly D-Lysine (1×) and incubated 2 hours at 37° C., CO₂ 5% and 100% relative humidity.

Cell Plating

After 2 hours the wells were washed twice with 200 l PBS 1× (use immediately or leave with 200 l of PBS 1× at 37° C. till use, but no more than 3 days).

The cells were counted. The desired number of cells was taken and resuspended in the amount of media necessary to get a dilution of 1,000,000 cells/ml. 100 nM of PMA was added to induce the differentiation of the THP1 from suspension monocytes to adherent macrophages. The cells were plated into the wells in 100 l medium at plating densities of 100′000 cells/well. After inoculation, the plates were incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 and 100% relative humidity 3 days to let them differentiate, prior to the addition of experimental drugs.

Cell Treatment

After 3 days, the adherent cells were observed with the microscope. The media containing PMA was aspirated and replaced by 100 l of fresh RPMI media without PMA (no washing step with PBS 1×).

Experimental drug were prepared at the concentration of 10 mM in H₂O or DMSO and stored at −80° C. Prior to each daily use, one aliquot of JNK inhibitor was defrost and diluted to reach a 4× concentrated solution (120 M) in RPMI medium and then to the desired concentration in RPMI. The SP600125 was diluted to reach a 4× concentrated solution (40 M) in RPMI medium and then to the desired concentration in RPMI containing 0.8% DMSO.

The plates were treated with 50 l of medium or a solution of 4× the final desired drug concentration (0, 100 nM, 1, 3, 10 or 30 M final for JNK compound or at 0, 10, 100 nM, 1, 3 or 10 M final for the SP600125 positive control). Following drug addition, the plates were incubated for an additional 1 h at 37° C., 5% CO₂ and 100% relative humidity.

After 1 hours, the secretion of TNF was induced by the addition of 50 l of a 4× concentrated dilution of LPS ultrapure (3 ng/ml final).

Assay

After 6 hours, 100 l of the supernatant were transferred to new 96 well plates. Those plates were sealed and stored at −20° till the analysis by ELISA (e.g. see example 4) of the secretion of the cytokines.

The cytotoxic effect of the compounds was evaluated by MTS absorbance (e.g. see example 4) and cells were observed using an inverted microscope (Axiovert 40 CFL; Zeiss; 10×).

Data Analysis

Analyses of the data are performed as indicated in the ELISA (see example 4). Briefly, for ELISA: Average the triplicate readings for each standard control and each sample. Subtract the average zero standard optical density (O.D). Create a standard curve plotting the log of the cytokine concentration versus the log of the O.D and the best fit line can be determined by regression analysis. If samples have been diluted, the concentration read from the standard curve must be multiplied by the dilution factor. A standard curve should be generated for each set of samples assayed. The outliers data were avoid using Grugg's test. Then the data which weren't in the interval of two times the SD, were discard. The independent experiments are taken into account if the positive control showed data as previously observed. The independent experiments are pooled (N>3).

For the Cytotoxicity effect evaluation: on each plate of each independent experiment taken into account for the cytokine release experiment analysis, the average of the absorbance of the medium alone was considerate as the background and subtracted to each absorbance value. The average of triplicate of the non treated cells of each compound was considerate as the 100% viability. The average of triplicate of each compound was normalized by its 100%. The outliers data were avoid using Grugg's test. Then the data which weren't in the interval of two times the SD, were discard. The independent experiments are pooled (N>3).

All statistical comparisons of conditions were performed by the GraphPad Prism4 software with the following test: One way ANOVA test followed by a Tukey's Multiple Comparison Test. P<0.05 was considerate as significant.

Example 6 JNK Inhibitor of SEQ ID NO: 172 and INFα Release in Primary Rat or Human Whole Blood Cells

Whole blood is collected from anesthetized rat or human healthy volunteers using a venipuncture connected to a pre-labeled vacuum tube containing sodium citrate. Tubes are gently mixed by inversion 7-8 times; and are then kept at RT until stimulation. JNK inhibitor of SEQ ID NO: 172 is prepared 6 times concentrated in PBS, and 30 μl/well of mix is added into 96-well plate. Whole blood is diluted by 1:2 in PBS and 120 μl of diluted blood is added in each well where either PBS alone or JNK inhibitor of SEQ ID NO: 172 has been previously added. Whole blood is incubated at 37° C.; 85 rpm (Stuart Orbital incubator SI500) for 60 min. Activators (LPS) are the prepared, 30 μl/well of LPS, 6 times concentrated. After 60 min incubation, LPS is added to the blood, blood is mixed by pipetting up and down, and then kept for 4 h under agitation (85 rpm), at 37° C. After the 4 h incubation, the plates are centrifuged at about 770 g, 4° c. for 15 min in a pre-cooled centrifuge. Supernatants are finally collected and kept at −20° c. until cytokine measurement. Cytokine (IL-6, IL-2, IFNγ and TNFα) were then measured using standard Elisa kits (e.g. from R&D Systems: DuoSet Elisas; or from BD Biosciences: BD Opteia Set Elisa). Results are expressed as pg/ml of supernatant of the measured cytokine.

A similar experiment was conducted with PMA+ionomycin instead of LPS as activator/stimulant.

Example 7 Half-Life of Specific JNK Inhibitors Disclosed Herein

The JNK inhibitors with the sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 196, 197, and 172 (0.1 mM final concentration) were digested in human serum (10 and 50% in PBS 1×). The experiment was performed as described by Tugyi et al. (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2005, 413-418). The remaining intact peptide was quantified by UPLC-MS. Stability was assessed for SEQ ID NOs: 196, 197, and 172 identically but in two separate assays. While the JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 196 was totally degraded into amino acids residues within 6 hours, the JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 172 was completely degraded only after 14 days. The JNK inhibitor with SEQ ID NO: 197 was still stable after 30 days.

Example 8 Dose-Dependent Inhibition by JNK Inhibitor with Sequence of SEQ ID NO: 172 of CD3/CD28-Induced IL-2 Release in Rat Primary T-Cells

Control animal were sacrificed, lymph nodes (LN) were harvested and kept in complete RPMI medium. LN were smashed with complete RPMI on 70 μm filter using a 5 ml piston. A few drops of media were added to keep strainer wet. Cells were centrifuged for 7 min at 450 g and 4° c. Pellet was resuspended in 5 ml fresh medium. Cells were passed again through cell strainer. An aliquot of cells was counted, while cells were centrifuged again 10 min at 1400 rpm and 4° c. Cells were resuspended in MACS buffer (80 μl of MACS buffer per 10⁷ cells). 10 μl of anti-rat MHC microbeads were added per 10 million cells, cells were incubated for 15 min at 4°-8° c. Cells were washed with 15 ml MACS buffer and centrifuge for 7 min at 700 g and 4° C. Pellet was resuspended in 500 μl MACS buffer per 10⁸ cells. One LS column was placed in the magnetic field of the MACS separator per animal. Column was first rinsed with 3 ml of MACS buffer. One tube was placed below the column in ice to collect cells=T cells (negative selection so we collect what is eluted). Cell suspension was added and elute was collected on ice. Column was washed 3 times with 3 mL MACS buffer. Eluted T cells were centrifuges for 7 min at 700 g and 4° C. Resuspended cells were counted and plated at density of 200000 cells/well in 100 μl of complete medium. Plates were precoated the day before experiment with 2 μg/mL of CD3 antibody, and the day of experiment plates were washed three times with PBS. Cells were treated with 100 μl of (poly-)peptide JNK inhibitor (SEQ ID NO: 172), two times concentrated for 1 h before ligand activation. After 1 h of pretreatment with (poly-)peptide JNK inhibitor (SEQ ID NO: 172), cells were then stimulated with 2 μg/mL of anti CD28 antibody for 24 h. After 24 h of stimulation, supernatant were collected and stored at −20° C. until analysis. Cytokines were then measured using standard Elisa kits. Results are expressed as pg/ml of supernatant of the measured cytokine.

In a further experiment, essentially the same protocol as set forth above was used, but in addition to the (poly-)peptide JNK inhibitors with SEQ ID NO: 172, JNK inhibitors with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 197 and the drug molecule SP600125 were also tested thus allowing to compare the effects of these inhibitors on the inhibition of CD3/CD28-induced IL-2 release.

Example 9 JNK Inhibitor and INFα/IL-2 Release in Human Whole Blood

Whole blood from human healthy volunteers was collected using a venipuncture connected to a pre-labeled vacuum tube containing sodium citrate. Tubes are gently mixed by inversion 7-8 times; and are then kept at RT until stimulation. 350 μl of RPMI+P/S were added into 1.2 ml-96-well plate. 10 times concentrated of SEQ ID NO: 172 was prepared in RPMI+P/S (50 μl per well). 50 μl was added into 1.2 ml-96 well plates. 50 μl of whole blood was then added in each well where either medium alone or JNK inhibitor has been previously added. Whole blood was incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 for 60 min. 50 μl/well of ligands diluted in RPMI+P/S was prepared, corresponding to the final dilution 10 times concentrated. After 60 min of incubation, ligand was added; wells were then mixed by pipetting up and down the blood. Whole blood was incubated for 3 days at 37° C. (wells were mixed by pipetting each well up and down once per day). At the end of incubation, plates were mixed and then centrifuged at 2500 rpm, 4° C. for 15 min in a pre-cooled centrifuge. Cytokine were then measured using standard Elisa kits. Results are expressed as pg/ml of supernatant of the measured cytokine.

A similar experiment was carried out with slight modifications. In the case of CD3/CD8 stimulation, CD3 antibody was coated at 2 μg/mL in PBS overnight at 4° C. The day of experiment, wells were washed three times with PBS and left in PBS until use at 37° C. CD28 antibody was added 1 h after SEQ ID NO: 172 at final concentration of 2 μg/mL; supernatants were collected after 3 days of stimulation. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor comprising an inhibitory polypeptide sequence according to the following general formula: X1-X2-X3-R-X4-X5-X6-L-X7-L-X8, (SEQ ID NO: 1)

wherein X1 is an amino acid selected from amino acids R, P, Q and r, wherein X2 is an amino acid selected from amino acids R, P, G and r, wherein X3 is an amino acid selected from amino acids K, R, k and r, wherein X4 is an amino acid selected from amino acids P and K, wherein X5 is an amino acid selected from amino acids a, s, q, k or is absent, wherein X6 is an amino acid selected from amino acids T, D and A, wherein X7 is an amino acid selected from amino acids N, n, r and K; and wherein X8 is an amino acid selected from F, f and w, and wherein an amino acid residue given in capital letters indicates an L-amino acid, and an amino acid residue given in lower case letters indicates a D amino acid residue, with the proviso that at least one of the amino acids selected from the group consisting of X1, X2, X3, X7 and X8 is/are a D-amino acid(s).
 2. The JNK inhibitor according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the amino acids selected from the group consisting of X3, X7 and X8 is/are a D-amino acid(s).
 3. The JNK inhibitor according to claim 1, wherein the inhibitory polypeptide sequence is selected from anyone of SEQ ID NOs: 4, 8 and 19-27.
 4. The JNK inhibitor of claim 1, further comprising a transporter sequence.
 5. The JNK inhibitor according to claim 4, wherein the inhibitory polypeptide sequence and the transporter sequence overlap.
 6. The JNK inhibitor according to claim 4, wherein the transporter sequence comprises a sequence of alternating D- and L-amino acids according to anyone of SEQ ID NOs: 28-30.
 7. The JNK inhibitor of claim 4, wherein said transporter sequence is selected from any one of SEQ ID NOs: 31-170.
 8. The JNK inhibitor of claim 4, wherein said transporter sequence is selected from any one of SEQ ID NOs: 31-34, 46, 47 and 52-151.
 9. The JNK inhibitor of claim 4, wherein said transporter sequence is positioned directly N-terminal or directly C-terminal of the inhibitory polypeptide sequence.
 10. The JNK inhibitor of claim 4, wherein the JNK inhibitor comprises a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 172 and 182-190.
 11. The JNK inhibitor of claim 4, wherein the JNK inhibitor comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 172. 